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Stagger: meaning, definitions and examples

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stagger

 

[ ˈstæɡər ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

losing balance

To walk or move unsteadily, as if about to fall.

Synonyms

lurch, stumble, sway

Examples of usage

  • He staggered across the room after the impact.
  • The drunk man staggered down the street.
Context #2 | Verb

shock or surprise

To astonish or deeply shock someone.

Synonyms

astonish, shock, surprise

Examples of usage

  • The news of the tragedy staggered everyone in the community.
  • Her unexpected announcement staggered her colleagues.
Context #3 | Noun

sequence

A sequence of events or actions that happen at intervals or are spaced out.

Synonyms

interval, sequence, spacing

Examples of usage

  • The movie had a stagger of action scenes that kept the audience engaged.
  • The project timeline had a stagger of deadlines.

Translations

Translations of the word "stagger" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cambalear

🇮🇳 लड़खड़ाना

🇩🇪 taumeln

🇮🇩 terhuyung-huyung

🇺🇦 хитатися

🇵🇱 zataczać się

🇯🇵 よろめく

🇫🇷 tituber

🇪🇸 tambalear

🇹🇷 sendelemek

🇰🇷 비틀거리다

🇸🇦 ترنح

🇨🇿 potácet se

🇸🇰 potácať sa

🇨🇳 蹒跚

🇸🇮 opotekati se

🇮🇸 staulast

🇰🇿 теңселу

🇬🇪 ბარბაცი

🇦🇿 ləngimək

🇲🇽 tambalear

Word origin

The word 'stagger' originated from the Old Norse word 'stagga', which means 'to reel'. It was first used in the 15th century to describe the unsteady movement of a person. Over time, the word evolved to also represent astonishment or a sequence of events happening at intervals. Today, 'stagger' is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts to convey a sense of unsteadiness or surprise.

See also: stag, stage, stagnant.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,452, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.