lug

[ luhg ]

/ lʌg /

Save This Word!

verb (used with object), lugged, lug·ging.

to pull or carry with force or effort: to lug a suitcase upstairs.

to introduce or interject in an inappropriate or irrelevant manner: to lug personalities into a discussion of philosophy.

(of a sailing ship) to carry an excessive amount of (sail) for the conditions prevailing.

verb (used without object), lugged, lug·ging.

to pull or tug laboriously.

(of an engine or machine) to jerk, hesitate, or strain: The engine lugs when we climb a steep hill.

noun

an act or instance of lugging; a forcible pull; haul.

a wooden box for transporting fruit or vegetables.

Slang. a request for or exaction of money, as for political purposes: They put the lug on him at the office.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!

In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”

Question 1 of 7

The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.

affect

effect

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of lug

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English luggen, from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian lugge, Swedish lugga “to pull by the hair”

OTHER WORDS FROM lug

un·lugged, adjective

Other definitions for lug (2 of 5)

lug²

[ luhg ]

/ lʌg /

noun

a projecting piece by which anything is held or supported.

a ridge or welt that helps to provide traction, as on a tire or the sole of a shoe.

Masonry. either of the ends of a lug sill.

Carpentry. (in a double-hung window) one of a pair of projections extending downward from the ends of the meeting rail of the upper sash.

a leather loop hanging down from a saddle, through which a shaft is passed for support.

Shipbuilding. clip² (def. 6).

Slang.

an awkward, clumsy fellow.
a blockhead.
a man; guy.

Origin of lug

First recorded in 1485–95; from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian, Swedish lugg “forelock”; see lug¹

Other definitions for lug (3 of 5)

lug³

[ luhg ]

/ lʌg /

noun

lugsail.

Origin of lug

By shortening

Other definitions for lug (4 of 5)

lug⁴

[ luhg ]

/ lʌg /

noun

lugworm.

Origin of lug

⁴

First recorded in 1595–1605; earlier lugg; perhaps special use of lug²

Other definitions for lug (5 of 5)

Lug

[ lookh ]

/ lʊx /

noun

an ancient Irish god, probably a solar deity.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use lug in a sentence

Lugging her trophy, the bawling girl wobbled down the ramp into the arms of her beaming family and boyfriend.
‘The Land of the Permanent Wave’ Is Bud Shrake’s Classic Take on ‘60s Texas|Edwin Shrake|February 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her Spanish model beau River Viiperi, 22, stands off to the side, lugging two large purses and a pink quilted laptop bag.
Paris Hilton's Trippy Los Angeles Release Party For Her Single With Lil Wayne|Jean Trinh|October 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He is followed by another clown lugging a huge trunk that he plops down in the center of the ring.
Giovanni Zoppé’s Real-Life Family Circus|Malcolm Jones|October 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Stung by the poor reviews of his thriller Liberty Two, Lipsyte was lugging a bigger canister of dynamite.
On the Peninsula|Bryan Curtis|April 25, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Lehman said, as she watched local men and even groups of small children lugging the bed nets to shore.
Inside Congo's Floating Hospital|Danielle Shapiro|March 2, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The wolf-dog buried itself in the snow, Houston pulling it forth time after time, and lugging it at long intervals.
The White Desert|Courtney Ryley Cooper
After a while he came along, lugging a big basket and wearing a smile that would have made us warm to him if we never had before.
The Boy Scouts of Bob's Hill|Charles Pierce Burton
I told him I guessed you wan't so rich that you got round-shouldered lugging your money.
The Rise of Roscoe Paine|Joseph C. Lincoln
She had probably walked from the station, lugging her own valise, to some ghastly theatrical boarding-house.
The Cup of Fury|Rupert Hughes
They travelled light, each man lugging his provisions, rations of corn meal and a wallet containing dried venison.
Rodney, the Ranger|John V. Lane

British Dictionary definitions for lug (1 of 4)

lug¹

/ (lʌɡ) /

verb lugs, lugging or lugged

to carry or drag (something heavy) with great effort

(tr) to introduce (an irrelevant topic) into a conversation or discussion

(tr) (of a sailing vessel) to carry too much (sail) for the amount of wind blowing

noun

the act or an instance of lugging

Word Origin for lug

C14: probably from Scandinavian; apparently related to Norwegian lugge to pull by the hair

British Dictionary definitions for lug (2 of 4)

lug²

/ (lʌɡ) /

noun

a projecting piece by which something is connected, supported, or lifted

Also called: tug a leather loop used in harness for various purposes

a box or basket for vegetables or fruit with a capacity of 28 to 40 pounds

Scot and Northern English dialect another word for ear 1

slang a man, esp a stupid or awkward one

Word Origin for lug

C15 (Scots dialect) lugge ear, perhaps related to lug 1 (in the sense: to pull by the ear)

British Dictionary definitions for lug (3 of 4)

lug³

/ (lʌɡ) /

noun

nautical short for lugsail

British Dictionary definitions for lug (4 of 4)

lug⁴

/ (lʌɡ) /

noun

short for lugworm

Word Origin for lug

C16: origin uncertain

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

lug

Origin of lug

OTHER WORDS FROM lug

Other definitions for lug (2 of 5)

Origin of lug

Other definitions for lug (3 of 5)

Origin of lug

Other definitions for lug (4 of 5)

Origin of lug

Other definitions for lug (5 of 5)

Words related to lug

How to use lug in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for lug (1 of 4)

Word Origin for lug

British Dictionary definitions for lug (2 of 4)

Word Origin for lug

British Dictionary definitions for lug (3 of 4)

British Dictionary definitions for lug (4 of 4)

Word Origin for lug