Finesentence logo

Stagger: meaning, definitions and examples

🚶‍♂️
Add to dictionary

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

Etymology

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.