Stagger

/ˈstæɡər/

Meaning & Definition

noun
a wavering or unsteady movement.
With a stagger, she managed to keep her balance on the icy pavement.
verb
to walk or move unsteadily, as if about to fall.
He began to stagger after drinking too much at the party.
to arrange in a staggered formation or schedule.
The teacher decided to stagger the exam times to reduce crowding.
to shock or astonish someone.
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

To shock someone immensely.
That revelation was just too staggering for him to handle.
To be overwhelmed or confused.
I'm so staggered by this workload, I don't know where to start.