Synonyms

waggery

American

[wag-uh-ree] / ˈwæg ə ri /

noun

plural

waggeries

the action, spirit, or language of a wag; roguish or droll humor.

the waggery of Shakespeare's clowns.
a waggish act; jest or joke.

Etymology

Origin of waggery

First recorded in 1585–95; wag + -ery

Explanation

A state of being silly or mischiveous is waggery. Your extremely formal, old-fashioned teacher might bring the class's outbreak of giggles to an end by shouting, "Enough of that waggery!" Not too many people use the word waggery these days, but it's the perfect way to describe someone's jocular, playful — but slightly wicked — remarks or behavior. You can tell your impish little sister you're tired of her waggery or accuse your practical-joking uncle of waggery. The word, along with the adjective waggish, comes from wag, or "jokester."

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing waggery

"The Minister's Black Veil," Vocabulary from the short story

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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.

And a masterclass to any young girls watching at home and thinking of Waggery as a possible career.

From The Guardian • Jun. 10, 2010

Pa. Nay, you are the veriest Wag in Nature, you are nothing but Waggery; you make a Jest of a serious Matter.

From Colloquies of Erasmus, Volume I. by Erasmus, Desiderius

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023