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• jag
  jag

  noun

  a sharp projection on an edge or surface.
• J.A.G.
  J.A.G.

  abbreviation

  Judge Advocate General.
• Jag
  Jag

  noun

  a Jaguar car: often understood as a symbol of affluence
• JAG
  JAG

  abbreviation

  Judge Advocate General

jag

¹ American  

[jag] / dʒæg /

noun

1. a sharp projection on an edge or surface.

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verb (used with object)

jagged, jagging

1. to cut or slash, especially in points or pendants along the edge; form notches, teeth, or ragged points in.

verb (used without object)

jagged, jagging

1. to move with a jerk; jog.

jag ² American  

[jag] / dʒæg /

noun

1. a period of unrestrained indulgence in an activity; spree; binge.

   a crying jag; a talking jag.

2. a state of intoxication from liquor.

3. Northern, North Midland, and Western U.S. a load, as of hay or wood.

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J.A.G. ³ American  

Or JAG

abbreviation

1. Judge Advocate General.

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jag ¹ British  

/ dʒæɡ /

verb

1. (tr) to cut unevenly; make jagged

2. to catch (fish) by impaling them on an unbaited hook

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noun

1. an informal word for jab jab

noun

1. a jagged notch or projection

jag ² British  

/ dʒæɡ /

noun

1. 1. intoxication from drugs or alcohol

   2. a bout of drinking or drug taking

2. a period of uncontrolled activity

   a crying jag

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Jag ³ British  

/ dʒæɡ /

noun

1. informal a Jaguar car: often understood as a symbol of affluence

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JAG ⁴ British  

abbreviation

1. Judge Advocate General

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Other Word Forms

• jagless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of jag¹

1350–1400; late Middle English jagge (noun), jaggen (v.), of obscure origin

Origin of jag²

1590–1600; perhaps originally load of broom or furze (compare Old English ceacga broom, furze)

Explanation

A jag is a sharp area that protrudes from a surface, a pointed bump or knob. The walls of a cave, rather than being smooth, might be lined with rocky jags. You'll encounter jags when you're mountain climbing or walking along the rocky coast. To "be on a jag" or "go on a jag" means to be completely unrestrained, whether you're on a drinking jag or a crying jag. This second meaning is of U.S. origin, first meaning "a load of hay or wood," and later "as much drink as a man can hold," in the 17th century. By the 1880s, it was "a period of unrestrained activity."

Example Sentences

Brook was helpless when Deep got the ball to jag back from outside off stump.

From BBC • Jul. 6, 2025

Or has he been on a crying jag?

From Slate • Aug. 24, 2023

What Cronenberg has done instead is to concoct a hallucinatory jag about the tortuous process Burroughs went through in creating “Naked Lunch.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2023

Here’s another one for the “Kendall can’t stand to see his family get bullied” file: When Mencken makes fun of Roman’s crying jag, Kendall immediately shuts that joke down.

From New York Times • May 21, 2023

For several days she was on a laughing jag.

From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli