English Reference

Word

dragging

Phoneticsdrag·ging, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈdɹæɡɪŋ/

UK/dɹˈæɡɪŋ/

Definitions

01pulling along the ground

B1 · Intermediate

v. pulling something heavy or difficult along the ground.

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

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

“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'.

Antonyms

02moving a computer item

B1 · Intermediate Computing

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

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

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

“By dragging the selected text to the sidebar, you can quickly create a new note without using the copy-paste command.”

Synonyms

03lasting too long

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. when time or an event feels very slow and boring.

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

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

“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'.

Antonyms

04boring or slow

C1 · Advanced Informal

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

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

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

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

Teaching 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.

Synonyms

tediousdullwearisome

Antonyms

05car racing

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Sports Informal

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

n. 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.

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

“The illegal dragging on the outskirts of town prompted the police to increase patrols during the late-night hours.”

Synonyms

drag racing

Etymology

From drag + -ing.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Frequency
Frequent
Level
B1 · Intermediate
Updated

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English Reference