hag
noun
an ugly old woman, especially a vicious or malicious one.
hag
1 American
[hag]
/ hæg /
hag
2
American
[hag, hahg]
/ hæg, hɑg /
noun
British Dialect.
-
bog; quagmire.
-
a firm spot or island of firm ground in a bog or marsh.
Hag.
3
American
abbreviation
Bible.
hag
1
British
/ hæɡ /
noun
-
an unpleasant or ugly old woman
-
a witch
-
short for hagfish
-
obsolete a female demon
hag
2
British
/ hɑːɡ, hæɡ /
noun
-
a firm spot in a bog
-
a soft place in a moor
Hag.
3
British
abbreviation
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
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
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
Piper thought it was a cruel joke that a hag like her would be named Hagno, but she decided not to say that.
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
What McNulty said in August: "I am backing United to continue the improvements started by Ten Hag. No chance of the title but a decent bet for some silverware."
From BBC ● Jan. 11, 2024
How much it was needed we see from the popular despondency reflected in Hag. ii.
From Introduction to the Old Testament by McFadyen, John Edgar
And this is lively expressed by Hag. ii.
From The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning by Binning, Hugh
How is it that the word signifying "And I will be glorified," occurs in Hag. i.
From Hebraic Literature; Translations from the Talmud, Midrashim and Kabbala by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
