Jump To:

• 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.

---

verb (used with object)

jags, present (3rd person singular) jagged, past participle, past jagging present participle

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

verb (used without object)

jags, present (3rd person singular) jagged, past participle, past jagging present participle

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.

---

J.A.G. ³ American  

Or JAG

abbreviation

1. Judge Advocate General.

---

jag ¹ British  

/ dʒæɡ /

verb

1. (tr) to cut unevenly; make jagged

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

---

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

---

Jag ³ British  

/ dʒæɡ /

noun

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

---

JAG ⁴ British  

abbreviation

1. Judge Advocate General

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• jagless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• jagging
  present
• jagged
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• jag
  simple
• jags
  simple
• have jagged
  perfect
• has jagged
  perfect
• am jagging
  progressive
• are jagging
  progressive
• is jagging
  progressive
• have been jagging
  perfect progressive
• has been jagging
  perfect progressive

Past

• jagged
  simple
• had jagged
  perfect
• was jagging
  progressive
• were jagging
  progressive
• had been jagging
  perfect progressive

Future

• will jag
  simple
• will have jagged
  perfect
• will be jagging
  progressive
• will have been jagging
  perfect progressive

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

Since its buying jag began, the company has filed suit in federal court against a group of families the firm purchased property from, seeking $510 million.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 31, 2023

In just his second over, he got one to jag sharply and hit middle and off stumps with Shubman Gill offering no shot.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 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 a moment, I wondered whether there might be some new subtlety in nuclear-deterrence strategy, or some strange jag in Russian military thinking, that might rebut my conclusion.

From Slate • Mar. 27, 2023

For several days she was on a laughing jag.

From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli