Definition

1. Noun:

   • A restraint placed in or over a person's mouth to prevent speaking or shouting: A physical object used to silence someone.
   • A joke or humorous remark, especially one told by a performer: A piece of comedy intended to make people laugh.

2. Verb:

   • To retch or choke, as if about to vomit: To make a convulsive effort to vomit.
   • To prevent someone from speaking or expressing an opinion, especially by force or authority: To silence someone.
   • To choke or have difficulty breathing: To experience a physical obstruction in the throat.
   • To tell jokes or make humorous remarks: To engage in joking or comedic performance.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The kidnappers used a cloth gag to silence their victim.
  • The comedian's best gag had the entire audience laughing.

• Verb:

  • The terrible smell made him gag.
  • The dictator's regime sought to gag the free press.
  • He started to gag on a piece of food.
  • The talk show host loves to gag with his guests.

Advanced Usage

• "gag order": A legal order by a court or government restricting information or comment from being made public.

  • The judge issued a gag order to ensure a fair trial.

• "gag reflex": The involuntary contraction of the back of the throat triggered by touching the roof of the mouth, the back of the tongue, or other areas.

  • The dentist was careful not to trigger my gag reflex.

Variants and Related Words

• Gagster (n, informal): A comedian or person who tells gags.
• Gag-worthy (adj, informal): So unpleasant as to cause a gagging reaction.

Synonyms

• Noun (restraint): Muzzle, silencer.
• Noun (joke): Joke, jest, quip, wisecrack.
• Verb (retch): Retch, heave, choke.
• Verb (silence): Silence, muzzle, stifle, suppress.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

• Gag on something: To choke or retch because of something in the throat.

  • She gagged on the strong medicine.

• Gag someone with something: To use a specific object to silence someone.

  • The thieves gagged him with his own necktie.

Related Idioms

• "gag me with a spoon": An exaggerated, humorous expression of disgust or strong dislike (slang, dated).

  • That outfit is so bright it's disgusting—gag me with a spoon!

• "running gag": A joke or humorous situation that is repeated and developed throughout a performance, series, or conversation.

  • The character's inability to remember names became a running gag in the show.

Noun

1. restraint put into a person's mouth to prevent speaking or shouting
2. a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
   • he told a very funny joke
   • he knows a million gags
   • thanks for the laugh
   • he laughed unpleasantly at his own jest
   • even a schoolboy's jape is supposed to have some ascertainable point

Verb

1. make an unsuccessful effort to vomit; strain to vomit
2. cause to retch or choke
3. struggle for breath; have insufficient oxygen intake
   • he swallowed a fishbone and gagged
4. make jokes or quips
   • The students were gagging during dinner
5. tie a gag around someone's mouth in order to silence them
   • The burglars gagged the home owner and tied him to a chair
6. be too tight; rub or press
   • This neckband is choking the cat
7. prevent from speaking out
   • The press was gagged