Meaning & Definition of word "Stagger"
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Stagger
/ˈstæɡər/
noun:
- 1. a wavering or unsteady movement.
- Example: With a stagger, she managed to keep her balance on the icy pavement.
verb:
- 1. to walk or move unsteadily, as if about to fall.
- Example: He began to stagger after drinking too much at the party.
- 2. to arrange in a staggered formation or schedule.
- Example: The teacher decided to stagger the exam times to reduce crowding.
- 3. to shock or astonish someone.
- Example: The news of the sudden storm was enough to stagger the entire town.
Etymology
Middle English 'staggeren', from Old Norse 'stagga' meaning to shake or sway.
Common Phrases and Expressions
staggering experience:
An experience that is shocking or astonishing.
staggered payments:
Payments that are spread out over time, not paid all at once.
stagger your work hours:
To arrange work hours in a non-simultaneous way for efficiency.
Related Words
staggered:
Arranged in a staggered manner; not in a straight line.
staggering:
Incredibly shocking; hard to believe.
Slang Meanings of stagger
Meaning: To shock someone immensely.
Example Sentence: That revelation was just too staggering for him to handle.
Meaning: To be overwhelmed or confused.
Example Sentence: I'm so staggered by this workload, I don't know where to start.