English vocabulary · B2
Stagger
/ˈstæɡər/ · v., n.
Stagger means to walk from side to side and almost fall. Your steps are not straight because your body is hard to control.
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Example sentences
- The runner staggered toward the bench.
- She staggered under the heavy box.
Word origin and roots
probably from Old Norse
- stakra — push (probably from Old Norse)
Synonyms and nuances
- STUMBLE — lose balance while walking (Catch Your Foot)
- TOTTER — stand or walk with weak balance (Almost Fall)
- REEL — move as if pushed (Hit By Shock)
Similar words
- stumble
- totter
- reel
Lesson notes
Stagger means to walk from side to side and almost fall. Your steps are not straight because your body is hard to control.
Related: stumble, totter, reel. Use stagger when someone moves with poor balance.
The runner staggered toward a bench. She staggered under the heavy box.
Probably from Old Norse. Stak-ra means push. English changed stakra to stagger. A push can make you stagger.