stagger
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
-
to cause to reel, totter, or become unsteady.
This load would stagger an elephant.
-
to shock; render helpless with amazement or the like; astonish.
The vastness of outer space staggers the mind.
-
to cause to waver or falter.
The news staggered her belief in the triumph of justice.
-
to arrange in a zigzag order or manner on either side of a center.
The captain staggered the troops along the road.
-
to arrange otherwise than at the same time, especially in a series of alternating or continually overlapping intervals.
They planned to stagger lunch hours so that the cafeteria would not be rushed.
-
Aeronautics. to arrange (the wings of a biplane or the like) so that the entering edge of an upper wing is either in advance of or behind that of a corresponding lower wing.
noun
-
the act of staggering; a reeling or tottering movement or motion.
-
a staggered order or arrangement.
-
Aeronautics.
-
a staggered arrangement of wings.
-
the amount of staggering.
-
-
(used with a singular verb) staggers.
-
Also called blind staggers. acute selenium poisoning of livestock characterized by a staggering gait usually followed by respiratory failure and death.
-
a condition of unknown cause, occurring in pregnant sheep, cattle, and other animals during or just following extended transport, characterized by a staggering gait and progressive paralysis.
-
verb
-
(usually intr) to walk or cause to walk unsteadily as if about to fall
-
(tr) to astound or overwhelm, as with shock
I am staggered by his ruthlessness
-
(tr) to place or arrange in alternating or overlapping positions or time periods to prevent confusion or congestion
a staggered junction
to stagger holidays
-
(intr) to falter or hesitate
his courage staggered in the face of the battle
-
(tr) to set (the wings of a biplane) so that the leading edge of one extends beyond that of the other
noun
-
the act or an instance of staggering
-
a staggered arrangement on a biplane, etc
Synonym Usage
Stagger, reel, totter suggest an unsteady manner of walking. To stagger is successively to lose and regain one's equilibrium and the ability to maintain one's direction: to stagger with exhaustion, a heavy load, or intoxication. To reel is to sway dizzily and be in imminent danger of falling: to reel when faint with hunger. To totter is to move in a shaky, uncertain, faltering manner and suggests the immediate likelihood of falling from weakness or feebleness: An old man tottered along with a cane.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has staggeredperfect 3rd person singular
-
have staggeredperfect
-
is staggeringprogressive 3rd person singular
-
am staggeringprogressive 1st person singular
-
staggeringparticiple
-
have been staggeringperfect progressive
-
are staggeringprogressive
-
staggerssingular 3rd person
-
has been staggeringperfect progressive 3rd person singular
Past
-
had staggeredperfect
-
were staggeringprogressive plural
-
staggeredparticiple
-
had been staggeringperfect progressive
-
staggeredsimple
-
was staggeringprogressive singular
Future
Etymology
Origin of stagger
First recorded in 1520–30; earlier stacker “to reel,” Middle English stakeren, from Old Norse stakra “to reel,” equivalent to stak(a) “to stagger” + -ra frequentative suffix
Explanation
Running a marathon is an impressive feat! Even though you had to stagger — or walk unsteadily — across the finish line, you should be proud of your accomplishment. The word stagger isn't just used to describe the physical action of stumbling. When you're really shocked about a piece of news, it can stagger or shock you. When you want to spread something out overtime, like paying a large bill, you can stagger the payments over time. But, remember that if you fall behind, the debt you fall into might stagger you.
Vocabulary lists containing stagger
The Watsons Go to Birmingham
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Vocabulary from history writings about the Triangle Factory Fire
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
An Excerpt from "The Underground Railroad" by Colson Whitehead
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Authorities in the Philippines are also talking to oil companies about ways to stagger pump-price increases and considering temporary tax cuts on fuel if crude prices rise sharply.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026
They stagger their appliance use in the mornings, checking that a fan isn’t running at the same time as the coffeemaker.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 24, 2025
Asian investors battled Wednesday to kickstart a recovery in equities following the latest stagger across world markets that has been caused by worries over an AI-fuelled bubble and uncertainty over US interest rates.
From Barron's • Nov. 19, 2025
One way to mitigate this would be for different regions to stagger their school summer holidays, suggests Which?
From BBC • Jul. 19, 2025
The city continued to stagger under the invisible invader’s assault.
From "An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793" by Jim Murphy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
