hag

¹ American  

[hag] / hæg /

noun

1. an ugly old woman, especially a vicious or malicious one.

   Synonyms:

   shrew, virago, harridan, harpy

2. a witch or sorceress.

3. a hagfish.

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hag ² American  

[hag, hahg] / hæg, hɑg /

noun

British Dialect.

1. bog; quagmire.

2. a firm spot or island of firm ground in a bog or marsh.

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Hag. ³ American  

abbreviation

Bible.

1. Haggai.

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hag ¹ British  

/ hæɡ /

noun

1. an unpleasant or ugly old woman

2. a witch

3. short for hagfish

4. obsolete a female demon

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hag ² British  

/ hɑːɡ, hæɡ /

noun

1. a firm spot in a bog

2. a soft place in a moor

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Hag. ³ British  

abbreviation

1. Haggai

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Usage

What does hag mean? Historically, a hag is an old, ugly woman with evil powers. Much like witches, crones, and banshees, hag has become a sexist insult degrading women. Content warning: this article contains references to sexist and homophobic language.

Other Word Forms

• haggish adjective
• haggishly adverb
• haggishness noun
• haglike adjective

Etymology

Origin of hag¹

1175–1225; Middle English hagge, Old English *hægge, akin to hægtesse witch, hagorūn spell, German Hexe witch

Origin of hag²

1250–1300; Middle English: chasm < Old Norse hǫgg a cut, ravine

Explanation

A hag is a witch, or a witch-like old woman. Many fairy tales include a hag as a frightening character. While the wide folklore and fairy tale tradition includes some hags with positive, benevolent qualities, you'll more often read about mean and ugly hags with evil intentions. The witch in "Hansel and Gretel" who tempts the children with her house made out of candy is one example of a famous literary hag. Mick Jagger of "The Rolling Stones" sang about another hag: "I was raised by a toothless, bearded hag." We doubt that, Mick.

Example Sentences

No matter how much the film insists she’s a hag, we know — and Moore knows we know — that she could do more squats than any of us in the audience.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2024

Would ten hag benefit from a solid season not answering to critics every single game?

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2024

Another reason why she refrains from taking off her makeup before bed is for her longtime husband Carl Dean: “I don't want to go to bed looking like a hag with Carl,” she said.

From Salon • Oct. 19, 2023

She escaped the witch, showing her mettle, But her brother’s in not-so-fine fettle: Grew a long, grasping tail While the hag brewed her ale.

From Washington Post • Sep. 5, 2019

The creature looked almost exactly like one: a wrinkled hag with batlike wings, brass talons, and glowing red eyes.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan