gag
word
Definition
As a verb, 'gag' can mean to react as if you might vomit because something smells, tastes, or looks unpleasant. As a noun, it can mean a cloth put in someone’s mouth to stop speech, or a short joke or comic bit, especially in entertainment.
Usage & Nuances
Common in informal speech for a strong physical reaction: 'The smell made me gag.' For the comedy meaning, 'running gag' is a repeated joke. The noun meaning 'cloth in the mouth' is more formal or appears in crime, history, or fiction contexts.
Example Sentences
The bad smell made me gag.
basic
The police found a gag in the room.
basic
The texture of that drink made him gag.
natural
That little gag in the movie made everyone laugh.
basic
I almost gagged when I opened the fridge.
natural
That joke has become a running gag in our office.
natural