Gag
/ɡæɡ/
Definitions
4 meaningsAn object, typically a cloth or other material, put into someone's mouth to prevent them from speaking or shouting.
/ɡæɡ/
An object forced into the mouth to prevent speech.
The prisoner was silenced with a gag.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone is trying to talk, but you stuff something in their mouth so they can't. That something is a gag! Like when a bad guy wants to keep someone quiet.
👶 For kids: A gag is something you put in someone's mouth to stop them from talking.
More Examples
The kidnapper stuffed a gag into the victim's mouth to prevent him from screaming.
A piece of cloth served as a gag to keep the captive from speaking.
How It's Used
"The kidnappers bound his wrists and put a gag in his mouth to prevent him from calling for help."
"In historical accounts of torture, a gag was often used to silence the victim."
A joke or a trick, usually intended for amusement.
/ɡæɡ/
A joke or humorous story.
The comedian told a series of gags that had the audience in stitches.
💡 Simply: A gag is like a short, funny story or punchline that makes you laugh. Like when you tell a joke at a party!
👶 For kids: A gag is a funny joke!
More Examples
The movie was full of visual gags.
She punctuated her speech with clever gags.
How It's Used
"The comedian's routine was filled with hilarious gags."
"He told a few gags to lighten the mood at the party."
To experience or cause a choking sensation; to retch or make efforts to vomit.
/ɡæɡ/
To choke or retch.
The smell of the garbage made me gag.
💡 Simply: When you 'gag,' it's like your body is trying to throw up because something tastes or smells really bad, or you are about to throw up.
👶 For kids: To gag means to feel like you're going to throw up, like when something tastes yucky.
More Examples
He gagged on the bitter medicine.
The doctor said I would probably gag during the throat exam.
How It's Used
"The patient gagged during the examination."
"The smell of the rotten food made him gag."
To prevent someone from speaking or expressing their views.
/ɡæɡ/
To prevent speech.
The company tried to gag the employees from talking to the media.
💡 Simply: To 'gag' someone in this sense is like putting a lid on what they can say. Like when someone is trying to keep a secret.
👶 For kids: To gag someone is to make them not able to talk.
More Examples
The judge gagged the witnesses to prevent them from discussing the case.
The government gagged the press.
How It's Used
"The judge gagged the lawyer from releasing details to the press."
"The company gagged employees with non-disclosure agreements."
Idioms & expressions
gag order
A legal order restricting the release of information or the ability to speak publicly about a case.
"The judge issued a gag order to prevent prejudicial information from being released."
Originates from Old English *gægl* (meaning 'throat, gullet'). The verb form developed from the noun, initially referring to a choking sensation or act of causing such.
Historically used in accounts of violence, torture, and medical practices where the act of gagging was prevalent.
Memory tip
Think of a mouth being stopped like a gate. The 'gag' prevents words from coming out.
Word Origin
"throat, gullet"