Meaning & use

gag

noun·Everyday

A joke or funny trick intended to make people laugh, or a device placed over the mouth to prevent speech.

See it in a sentence

The comedian's opening gag about airline food got the whole room laughing.

The kidnappers used a gag to keep their captive from calling for help.

A note on using this word

As a verb, gag also means to feel like vomiting, a completely different sense from the noun's humor meaning.

Words with a similar meaning

jokeprank

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. verb

To retch or feel a strong urge to vomit, or to prevent someone from speaking freely.

The smell from the dumpster made him gag as he walked past.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “gag”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.