Dragged

/dræɡd/

verbBeginnerCommonGeneral

Definitions

3 meanings
1

To move something heavy or difficult to move across a surface, typically by pulling it.

/dræɡd/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To pull something along the ground, often with difficulty.

She dragged her feet as she walked slowly.

💡 Simply: Think about when you're too tired to carry something, so you pull it along the ground. That's dragging! Like when you drag your backpack after a long day at school.

👶 For kids: To pull something heavy along the ground.

More Examples

2

The dog dragged the leash across the floor.

3

He was forced to drag himself from bed this morning.

How It's Used

General Usage

"The heavy suitcase was dragged across the airport floor."

Literary

"The wounded soldier dragged himself through the mud."

Sports

"He dragged his foot along the ground before the penalty kick."

2

To compel or persuade someone to accompany you or do something unwillingly.

/dræɡd/

verbneutralmedium
General

To cause someone to go somewhere reluctantly or forcibly.

I was dragged to the mall by my friends.

💡 Simply: Ever have a friend who doesn't want to come with you, but you convince them anyway? Or, you force them to come! That's like dragging someone along.

👶 For kids: To make someone go somewhere, even if they don't want to.

More Examples

2

She was dragged into the argument.

3

He dragged himself to the meeting.

How It's Used

Informal

"He was dragged along to the party, even though he didn't want to go."

Figurative

"She dragged the conversation into a difficult area."

Tip:Think about being forced to go somewhere against your will – you were *dragged*.
3

To search (a body of water) by means of a dragnet or other device.

/dræɡd/

verbneutralmedium
Technology

To search or trawl for something.

The divers dragged the lake for the missing object.

💡 Simply: Like fishing with a special net to find something in the water.

👶 For kids: To search under the water with a net to find something.

More Examples

2

They dragged the riverbed for clues.

3

The authorities dragged the area for the suspect.

How It's Used

Law Enforcement

"Police dragged the river for evidence."

Tip:Like a fishing net, but for finding something specific.

Idioms & expressions

drag one's feet/heels

To delay doing something; to be slow or reluctant to act.

"The company is dragging its feet on the project."

drag someone through the mud

To publicly criticize or defame someone.

"The media dragged the politician through the mud after the scandal."

drag on

To continue for a longer time than expected.

"The meeting dragged on for hours."

From Middle English draggen, related to Old English dragan (to draw, pull).

The word 'drag' has been used since the Middle Ages to describe pulling something along the ground.

Memory tip

Imagine a tired person struggling to move a heavy bag – they are *dragging* it.

drageddraggd

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written