tag-along

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableinformal

   A person, often a younger sibling or friend, who goes with a group even though nobody quite invited them.

   Grammar: Countable and informal: a tag-along. The verb is written tag along, without a hyphen.

   Patterns

   • a tag-along

   My little brother was always the tag-along when I went out with friends.

   We didn't mind having a tag-along on the trip.

   She felt like a tag-along at her older cousins' party.

2. 2nouncountable

   A small bicycle-like attachment that connects a child's bike to the back of an adult's bike.

   Grammar: Sometimes tag-along bike: the child pedals behind the adult.

   Patterns

   • a tag-along bike

   Their daughter rode behind her father on a tag-along.

   He bought a tag-along so his son could join the family ride.

Word forms

Common combinations

constant tag-along

The puppy was a constant tag-along on our walks.

tag-along sibling

A tag-along sibling can be annoying or sweet.

tag-along bike

A tag-along bike attaches to the adult's seat post.

tag-along friend

Her tag-along friend followed her everywhere.

Synonyms and how they differ

hanger-on

Hanger-on is more negative, suggesting someone who stays near a group for personal gain.

follower

Follower is neutral and suggests accepting leadership, not simply joining for company.

third wheel

Third wheel describes an extra person with a couple, not a younger follower.

shadow

Shadow suggests someone who keeps very close to one person, not a whole group.

Opposites

Word family

tag along phrasal verb

to go with someone, often uninvited

tag verb

to follow closely, as in tag after someone

tagger noun

one who tags

Commonly confused: tag-along or tag along?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “tag-along”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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