sag

¹

[sag]

verb (used without object)

sagged, sagging 

1. to sink or bend downward by weight or pressure, especially in the middle.

   The roof sags.

2. to hang down unevenly; droop.

   Her skirt was sagging.

3. to droop; hang loosely.

   His shoulders sagged.

4. to yield through weakness, lack of effort, or the like.

   Our spirits began to sag.

   Synonyms: weary, tire, flag, weaken

5. to decline, as in price.

   The stock market sagged today.

6. Nautical.

   1. (of a hull) to droop at the center or have excessive sheer because of structural weakness.

   2. to be driven to leeward; to make too much leeway.

verb (used with object)

sagged, sagging 

1. to cause to sag.

noun

1. an act or instance of sagging.

2. the degree of sagging.

3. a place where anything sags; depression.

4. a moderate decline in prices.

5. Nautical.

   1. deflection downward of a hull amidships, due to structural weakness.

   2. leeway.

SAG

²

[sag]

noun

1. Screen Actors Guild.

sag

/ sæɡ /

verb

1. (also tr) to sink or cause to sink in parts, as under weight or pressure

   the bed sags in the middle

2. to fall in value

   prices sagged to a new low

3. to hang unevenly; droop

4. (of courage, spirits, etc) to weaken; flag

noun

1. the act or an instance of sagging

   a sag in profits

2. nautical the extent to which a vessel's keel sags at the centre Compare hog hogged

3. 1. a marshy depression in an area of glacial till, chiefly in the US Middle West

   2. ( as modifier )

      sag and swell topography

Other Word Forms

• antisag adjective
• unsagging adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sag¹

1375–1425; late Middle English saggen (v.), probably < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian sagga to move slowly (akin to Low German sacken to sink, Norwegian, Danish sakke, Swedish sacka, Icelandic sakka to slow up, fall behind)

Word History and Origins

Origin of sag¹

C15: from Scandinavian; compare Swedish sacka, Dutch zakken, Norwegian dialect sakka to subside, Danish sakke to lag behind

Example Sentences

Gold and stocks have been rallying together to record highs, as the dollar sags and bond yields go sideways.

Read more on Barron's

Our efforts tend to sag when we feel comfortable in our roles.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The deals have turned Occidental into a formidable oil-and-gas producer but also saddled it with billions of dollars in debt that weigh it down when oil prices sag.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Despite his company’s sagging share price and profits, it’s hard to argue that he isn’t earning his keep.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The heavy paper started to unpeel from the wall, and it eventually sagged to the floor.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• cave in 
• dip 
• drop off 
• fall off 
• languish 
• sink 
• slide 
• slip 
• slump 
• wilt