# gag

/ˈɡæɡ/ (US) · /ɡˈæɡ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gag
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a joke

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a joke or a funny trick, especially one used in a film or play.

For teachers: a joke, prank, or comedic device, often involving a visual element in a performance.

- The comedian's opening gag involved a giant rubber chicken and a bucket of water.
- The silent film relied heavily on visual gags to convey humor without the need for dialogue or intertitles.

### 2. speech restraint

noun · CEFR B2

a piece of cloth or a device put into or over a person's mouth to stop them from speaking.

For teachers: a physical object, such as a cloth or strap, used to obstruct the mouth and prevent vocalization.

- The kidnappers used a silk scarf as a gag to keep the victim quiet.
- In the thriller, the protagonist managed to loosen the gag and shout for help just as the guard turned away.

### 3. legal restriction

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

a legal order that prevents people from talking about a specific topic or court case.

For teachers: a judicial or administrative order, often termed a 'gag order', that prohibits the public disclosure of information regarding a case.

- The judge issued a gag order to prevent the lawyers from talking to the press.
- The government imposed a gag on the media to prevent the leak of sensitive national security information during the trial.

### 4. to retch

verb · CEFR B2

to feel as if you are about to vomit, often because of a bad smell or taste.

For teachers: to experience a contraction of the throat or a vomiting reflex without actually vomiting.

- The smell of the rotting garbage made him gag as he walked past.
- The patient began to gag when the doctor attempted to insert the tongue depressor for the examination.

### 5. to silence

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to stop someone from speaking or expressing their opinion.

For teachers: to prevent someone from exercising free speech or expressing an opinion, either physically or through intimidation.

- The new laws were designed to gag the opposition party before the election.
- Critics argued that the restrictive contract was an attempt to gag former employees from reporting safety violations.

### 6. to shock

verb · CEFR C2 · Slang

to surprise someone so much that they cannot speak.

For teachers: to leave someone speechless or astonished, often used in the context of fashion or performance.

- Her dramatic new look is going to gag everyone at the party.
- The drag queen's final reveal was so unexpected that it truly gagged the entire audience.

## Examples

- The comedian's opening gag made everyone laugh.
- The movie features a running gag where the main character keeps losing his keys in ridiculous places.
- While the film relies heavily on physical comedy, the director ensures that every visual gag serves to deepen our understanding of the protagonist's clumsy nature.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.