gad

[ gad ]

verb (used without object),gad·ded, gad·ding.

to move restlessly or aimlessly from one place to another: to gad about.

noun

the act of gadding.

Origin of gad

1425–75; late Middle English gadden, perhaps back formation from gadeling companion in arms, fellow (in 16th century, vagabond, wanderer), Old English gædeling, derivative of gæd fellowship; see gather, -ling¹

Other words from gad

gadder, noun
gad·ding·ly, adverb

Other definitions for gad (2 of 4)

gad²

[ gad ]

noun

a goad for driving cattle.
a pointed mining tool for breaking up rock, coal, etc.

Origin of gad

1175–1225; Middle English <Old Norse gaddr spike; cognate with Gothic gazds

Other definitions for Gad (3 of 4)

Gad¹

or gad

[ gad ]

interjection

(used as a mild oath.)

Origin of Gad

First recorded in 1600–10; euphemism for God

Other definitions for Gad (4 of 4)

Gad²

[ gad ]

noun

a son of Zilpah. Genesis 30:11.
one of the twelve tribes of Israel, traditionally descended from him.

a Hebrew prophet and chronicler of the court of David. 2 Samuel 24:11–19.

Origin of Gad

⁴

From Late Latin, from Greek Gád, from Hebrew Gādh “(good) luck”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gad in a sentence

“Oh, we know you are always gadding over here,” said Sally, laughing.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn | Margaret Penrose
I dare say Daddy has heaps of extra things on his hands because of all the time he spent gadding with us in Europe.
Those Dale Girls | Frank Weston Carruth
I wonder if Del is still gadding about looking for the fellow who smashed the wireless instrument?
Motor Matt's Daring, or, True to His Friends | Stanley R. Matthews
Women are always gadding about, just to show off their bonnets, or to look at other people's.
Littlebourne Lock | F. Bayford Harrison
"It's quite enough to have one of you gadding out and filling my hands with your work," growled cook.
For John's Sake | Annie Frances Perram

British Dictionary definitions for gad (1 of 4)

gad¹

/ (ɡæd) /

verbgads, gadding or gadded

(intr; often foll by about or around) to go out in search of pleasure, esp in an aimless manner; gallivant

noun

carefree adventure (esp in the phrase on or upon the gad)

Origin of gad

C15: back formation from obsolete gadling companion, from Old English, from gæd fellowship; related to Old High German gatuling

Derived forms of gad

gadder, noun

British Dictionary definitions for gad (2 of 4)

gad²

/ (ɡæd) /

noun

mining a short chisel-like instrument for breaking rock or coal from the face
a goad for driving cattle

a western US word for spur (def. 1)

verbgads, gadding or gadded

(tr) mining to break up or loosen with a gad

Origin of gad

C13: from Old Norse gaddr spike; related to Old High German gart, Gothic gazds spike

British Dictionary definitions for Gad (3 of 4)

Gad¹

/ (ɡæd) /

noun, interjection

an archaic euphemism for God by Gad!

British Dictionary definitions for Gad (4 of 4)

Gad²

/ (ɡæd) /

nounOld Testament

- Jacob's sixth son, whose mother was Zilpah, Leah's maid
- the Israelite tribe descended from him
- the territory of this tribe, lying to the east of the Jordan and extending southwards from the Sea of Galilee
a prophet and admonisher of David (I Samuel 22; II Samuel 24)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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