drag
- 01 B1 Intermediate
v.to pull something along the ground, usually because it is heavy or difficult to move.
v.to pull something along a surface with effort or difficulty. Transitive, requiring a direct object.
Simple“He had to drag the heavy suitcase across the room because the wheels were broken.”
In context“The workers had to drag the fallen timber through the thick mud to reach the clearing before the storm intensified.”
UsageOften used with 'along', 'across', or 'through'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to move or happen very slowly in a way that feels boring.
v.to proceed heavily or laboriously; to seem to pass very slowly due to boredom or lack of interest.
Simple“The meeting started to drag after the first two hours of talking.”
In context“The afternoon dragged as we waited for the final results to be announced, with every minute feeling like an hour.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
v.to move something on a computer screen by holding down the mouse button.
v.to move an icon or window on a graphical user interface by clicking and holding the pointer device.
Simple“Just drag the file into the folder to save it.”
In context“You can drag the selected text to the new document window to copy it instantly without using the keyboard.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
v.to say mean things about someone or point out their mistakes in public.
v.to criticize someone harshly or mock them, often in a public or social media context.
Simple“People on the internet started to drag the actor for his rude comments.”
In context“The comedian was dragged on social media for several days after his controversial set went viral.”
Antonyms - 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.something or someone that is boring, annoying, or makes progress difficult.
n.a person or thing that is tedious or a hindrance to progress.
Simple“Having to work on a Saturday is such a drag.”
In context“The constant administrative delays proved to be a real drag on the project's overall momentum.”
- 06 C1 Advanced
n.the force of air or water that slows down a moving object.
n.the resistive force exerted by a fluid, such as air or water, acting in opposition to the motion of an object.
Simple“The car's shape is designed to reduce drag and save fuel.”
In context“Engineers modified the aircraft's wingtips to minimize induced drag and improve overall aerodynamic efficiency.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 07 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.clothing usually worn by the opposite sex, often for a show or performance.
n.the practice of dressing in clothing typically associated with the opposite sex, especially for theatrical or entertainment purposes.
Simple“He performed in drag at the local club every Friday night.”
In context“The history of drag as an art form is deeply rooted in theatrical traditions and LGBTQ+ culture.”
- 08 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.one act of breathing in smoke from a cigarette.
n.an act of inhaling smoke from a cigarette, cigar, or pipe.
Simple“He took a long drag on his cigarette before answering the question.”
In context“She paused for a final drag before crushing the cigarette out in the overflowing ashtray.”
“They're not coached to find space, to drag defences out of shape and then hit them hard.”
“I didn’t think anything of it until last year, when I was talking to my friend, the amazing drag artist Michael Twaits, and mentioned Sir Elton Scone.”
From Middle English draggen (“to drag”), early Middle English dragen (“to draw, carry”), confluence of Old English dragan (“to drag, draw, draw oneself, go, protract”) and Old Norse draga (“to draw, attract”); both from Proto-Germanic draganą (“to draw, drag”), from Proto-Indo-European dʰregʰ- (“to draw, drag”). Verb sense influenced due to association with the noun drag (“that which is hauled or dragged”), related to Low German dragge (“a drag-anchor, grapnel”). Cognate with Danish drægge (“to dredge”), Danish drage (“to draw, attract”), Swedish dragga (“to drag, drag anchor, sweep”), Swedish draga (“to draw, go”), Icelandic draga (“to drag, pull”). Doublet of draw.
Possibly from English drag (“to pull along a surface”) because of the sensation of long skirts trailing on the floor, or from Yiddish טראָגן (trogn, “to wear”)
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.