ENGLISH
REFERENCE

dragging

v. · adj. · n.
US //ˈdɹæɡɪŋ// UK //dɹˈæɡɪŋ// drag·ging
  1. 1 pulling along the ground (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    pulling something heavy or difficult along the ground.

    the act of pulling an object along a surface with effort or against resistance.

    Example

    I heard the sound of someone dragging a heavy suitcase across the wooden floor.

    Example

    The workers spent the afternoon dragging the fallen branches to the edge of the property for disposal.

    Usage

    Often used with 'along', 'across', or 'behind'.
  2. 2 moving a computer item (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Computing

    using a mouse or finger to move something on a screen.

    moving a graphical object on a display by clicking it and holding the button while moving the cursor.

    Example

    Try dragging the file into the new folder to save it.

    Example

    By dragging the selected text to the sidebar, you can quickly create a new note without using the copy-paste command.
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  1. 3 lasting too long (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    when time or an event feels very slow and boring.

    proceeding at a slow, tedious pace; often used to describe time or events that lack momentum.

    Example

    The meeting was dragging on, and everyone was looking at their watches.

    Example

    The afternoon was dragging, made worse by the humid heat and the lack of any urgent tasks to complete.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the phrasal verb 'drag on'.
  2. 4 boring or slow (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    describing something that is very dull or takes too much time.

    characterised by a lack of interest or excessive duration; tedious.

    Example

    It was a dragging afternoon with nothing to do but wait for the rain to stop.

    Example

    The dragging pace of the film's second act caused many audience members to lose interest before the climax.

    Teacher's tip

    While 'dragging' is common as a verb, using it as a direct adjective for 'boring' is less frequent and feels more literary or informal.
  3. 5 car racing (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Sport

    a type of race where cars compete to see who is fastest over a short, straight distance.

    a form of motor racing in which specially prepared vehicles compete, usually two at a time, to be the first to cross a set finish line.

    Example

    He spent his weekends dragging at the local track with his modified car.

    Example

    The illegal dragging on the outskirts of town prompted the police to increase patrols during the late-night hours.
    • drag racing
Origin

From drag + -ing.

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