tug
tug Lexical Profile
tug Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A hard, sudden, or forceful pull.
"She gave the heavy wooden door a firm tug, but it remained stubbornly shut."
A small, powerful boat designed for towing or pushing larger vessels; a tugboat.
"A pair of tugs carefully guided the massive ocean liner safely into the harbor."
A strong emotional sensation or feeling of attraction.
"He felt a sudden tug of nostalgia when he walked past his old elementary school."
• verb
To pull at something hard, repeatedly, or suddenly.
"The small child began to tug at his mother's sleeve to get her attention."
To tow or push a ship or boat using a specialized, powerful vessel.
"The disabled cargo ship was tugged back to the shipyard for repairs."
• Rhymes for tug
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'tuggen', which traces back to Old English 'tēon' (to pull) and Proto-Germanic 'tugōną'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.