Drag
/dræɡ/
Definitions
5 meaningsTo pull something along a surface, often with difficulty or resistance.
/dræɡ/
To pull something along the ground, often with effort.
He dragged his feet as he walked to school.
💡 Simply: Like when you have to pull your toys across the floor because they're heavy! Dragging means pulling something along the ground.
👶 For kids: To pull something along the ground.
More Examples
The farmer dragged the plow through the field.
The dog was dragging its injured leg.
The river is dragging us far away.
How It's Used
"She had to drag the heavy suitcase across the terminal."
"The boat's anchor will drag on the seabed."
To proceed slowly, often with a feeling of being tedious or boring.
/dræɡ/
To move slowly or with difficulty.
The negotiations dragged on for weeks.
💡 Simply: Ever feel like time is going super slow? Like, 'Ugh, this lesson is dragging!' That means it's taking forever.
👶 For kids: When something goes very slowly and makes you bored.
More Examples
The movie seemed to drag in the second half.
The day was dragging by slowly.
His pace was dragging behind the group.
How It's Used
"The meeting was dragging on for hours."
"The team is dragging after playing a long game."
An impediment or burden; something that slows progress or causes difficulty.
/dræɡ/
Something that slows progress.
High taxes can be a drag on business.
💡 Simply: When something makes things hard, like a long line at the store or a tough test? That's a 'drag'—a problem.
👶 For kids: Something that makes things hard or slow.
More Examples
The old computer was a drag on their productivity.
The paperwork was such a drag.
I really think he's a drag on this party.
How It's Used
"The new regulations are a drag on the economy."
"The traffic was a real drag today."
The performance or act of dressing in clothing typically associated with the opposite gender.
/dræɡ/
Slang for wearing women's clothing by a male.
The drag queen's costume was stunning.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, people like to dress up like the opposite gender for fun or for a show. That's called 'drag'.
👶 For kids: When someone wears clothes usually worn by girls, but they are a boy, or the other way around, they're in drag.
More Examples
He did drag for a living.
The show featured a number of drag performers.
She was wearing a lot of drag.
How It's Used
"The performer's drag act was the highlight of the show."
"He's famous for his drag performances."
To search the bottom of a body of water by using a weighted net or hook to catch objects.
/dræɡ/
To search the bottom of a body of water for something.
The Coast Guard is going to drag the lake.
💡 Simply: Imagine fishing, but you're not trying to catch fish. You're trying to find something that's at the bottom of the water.
👶 For kids: To search for something at the bottom of the water using a net or hook.
More Examples
They are dragging the bay for the lost treasure.
The divers will drag the area.
He was dragged from the bottom of the river.
How It's Used
"The police decided to drag the river to find the missing evidence."
"They are dragging the harbor to remove any debris."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
drag someone down
To cause someone to feel unhappy or discouraged; to lower someone's status or reputation.
"Don't let his negativity drag you down."
drag one's feet
To delay doing something; to move slowly or reluctantly.
"He was dragging his feet about starting the project."
in drag
Wearing clothes associated with the opposite gender.
"The actor performed in drag."
From Old English *dragan* 'to draw, pull'. The sense of drawing something heavy derives from this, leading to the derived sense of slowing progress. The slang sense of wearing women's clothing by a male emerged in the late 19th century.
The verb's earliest uses involved physically pulling something heavy. Over time, it evolved to represent something that slows progress or has a negative effect. The slang term related to cross-dressing emerged in the late 19th century.
Memory tip
Imagine dragging a heavy bag—it requires effort and movement across a surface.