lag

Everyday

1. To lag, or lag behind, means to move or develop more slowly than others, so you fall behind. tree →
2. A lag, or time lag, is a delay between one thing happening and another. tree →
3. (gaming, computers, informal) Lag is a delay in a game or video call, when the screen freezes or jumps because the internet is slow. tree →
4. Jet lag is feeling tired and muddled after flying across many time zones. tree →
5. To lag pipes or a hot-water tank means to wrap them in material to keep the heat in. tree →
6. (UK, slang) An old lag is a person who has been in prison many times. tree →

In the lessons

In PE and stories, someone lags behind on a walk or race. In gaming, «it's lagging» is a common complaint. In science, there is a lag between seeing lightning and hearing thunder because light is faster than sound; in maths, you can use that lag to work out how far away the storm is (about 3 seconds per kilometre). Lagging pipes stops them freezing in winter. Phrases: «lag behind», «jet lag», «time lag», «lag spike».

Examples

• Hurry up, don't lag behind! tree →
• The game kept lagging, so I lost the level. tree →
• We had terrible jet lag after flying to Australia. tree →
• There is a lag between the lightning flash and the thunder. tree →
• Dad lagged the pipes in the loft so they wouldn't freeze. tree →
• Our class is lagging behind with the project, so we need to work faster. tree →
• The video call had a two-second lag. tree →
• "Yes, Fred," said she, and soon made herself ready; but, her husband being a good walker, she lagged behind. tree →

Note

Verb doubles the g: lagged, lagging. «Lag» as an internet delay is informal but very common. Trap: «laggy» (informal) means slow and jerky; «lagging» can also be the noun for pipe insulation.