How Do You Spell TUG?

Pronunciation: [tˈʌɡ] (IPA)

The word "tug" is spelled with the letters t, u, and g. Its IPA phonetic transcription is /tʌɡ/. The first sound, /t/, is a voiceless dental or alveolar stop. The second sound, /ʌ/, is a mid-central vowel. The final sound, /ɡ/, is a voiced velar stop. When pronounced together, these sounds create the word "tug". This word can mean to pull or drag with great force, or it can refer to a small, powerful boat used for towing larger vessels.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Plural
Conjugate verb
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TUG Meaning and Definition

  1. Tug is a verb and noun that can have multiple meanings. As a verb, it typically refers to the act of pulling forcefully or persistently on something. It implies exerting physical effort or strength to move an object or change its position by jerking or yanking it. Tugging can be done in various contexts, such as pulling on a rope to move an object or dragging something with force or resistance.

    As a noun, tug refers to a strong pulling force or a sudden jerk. It can also denote a boat or small ship specifically designed for towing or pulling larger vessels, typically used in harbors or to assist maritime operations. In this context, a tugboat is equipped with powerful engines and towing equipment to perform tasks like pushing, pulling, or guiding larger ships.

    Additionally, tug can also describe a strong or persistent desire or pull towards someone or something. This figurative usage suggests a feeling of being emotionally or mentally drawn towards an object or person. This can apply to desires or attachments that are difficult to resist or let go of.

    Overall, tug conveys the concept of pulling with force or a strong pulling force itself.

  2. • A pull with strong effort; a small steam-vessel used to tow or pull ships out of or into a harbour or dock.
    • To pull or draw with considerable effort; to pull with continued exertion; to drag.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for TUG *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for TUG

Etymology of TUG

The word "tug" originates from Middle English "tuggen" or Old English "tēon", which means "to pull" or "to draw". The term developed from the Proto-Germanic word "*teuhaną", which has the same meaning. This Proto-Germanic root is also connected to the Old Norse "toga" and Old High German "zogon", further supporting its etymology. The word "tug" has maintained its meaning and usage over centuries, referring to the act of pulling or exerting force to move something.

Idioms with the word TUG

  • tug away (at sth) The idiom "tug away at something" refers to the persistent and determined effort to achieve or accomplish a task, often involving overcoming obstacles or resistance. It implies exerting physical or mental strength to keep striving towards a goal despite challenges.
  • tug at the heartstrings The idiom "tug at the heartstrings" refers to something that evokes strong emotions, typically sadness or empathy. It describes a situation or story that deeply affects a person's emotions, often causing them to feel sympathy or sentimentality.
  • tug at your heartstrings The idiom "tug at your heartstrings" means to evoke strong emotions or feelings of sympathy or sadness. It refers to a situation, story, or event that deeply affects you emotionally, usually causing sadness, empathy, or compassion.
  • tug your forelock The idiom "tug your forelock" refers to a gesture of servility or deference towards someone of higher social status or authority. It comes from a traditional gesture where people would physically touch or raise their forelock, a section of hair on the forehead, as a sign of respect or submission. In a more figurative sense, "tugging your forelock" means to show excessive deference or subservience to someone perceived as more powerful or influential.
  • tug at sm or sth The idiom "tug at someone or something" means to cause an emotional response or strong feeling in someone. It suggests that something or someone is pulling on one's heartstrings or stirring up strong emotions, typically evoking sympathy, empathy, or a deep sense of concern.
  • tug at heartstrings The idiom "tug at heartstrings" refers to something that deeply affects or moves one's emotions, often causing feelings of sadness, empathy, or nostalgia.
  • tear/tug at your heartstrings The idiom "tear/tug at your heartstrings" refers to something that evokes strong emotions, particularly sadness, empathy, or sympathy. It describes a situation, story, or event that deeply affects or moves someone emotionally, often to the point of feeling sorrow or compassion.
  • tug at/touch your forelock The idiom "tug at/touch your forelock" refers to a gesture of deference or respectful acknowledgement, often accompanied by briefly tugging on one's front hair near the forehead. It is derived from medieval customs where servants or inferiors would show respect to their superiors by touching or tugging their forelocks as a sign of obedience or submission. Nowadays, the idiom is used figuratively to denote a submissive or deferential attitude towards authority figures or those of higher social status.
  • tug away
  • touch (or tug) your forelock To touch or tug your forelock is a gesture of deference or respect to someone in authority or of higher social status. It is a symbolic act of showing humility and subservience.
  • tear/tug/pull at/on (one's)/the heartstrings To evoke strong emotions, particularly sadness or pity.

Similar spelling words for TUG

Plural form of TUG is TUGS

Conjugate verb Tug

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have tugged
you would have tugged
he/she/it would have tugged
we would have tugged
they would have tugged
I would have tug
you would have tug
he/she/it would have tug
we would have tug
they would have tug

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been tugging
you would have been tugging
he/she/it would have been tugging
we would have been tugging
they would have been tugging

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would tug
you would tug
he/she/it would tug
we would tug
they would tug

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be tugging
you would be tugging
he/she/it would be tugging
we would be tugging
they would be tugging

FUTURE

I will tug
you will tug
he/she/it will tug
we will tug
they will tug

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be tugging
you will be tugging
he/she/it will be tugging
we will be tugging
they will be tugging

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have tugged
you will have tugged
he/she/it will have tugged
we will have tugged
they will have tugged

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been tugging
you will have been tugging
he/she/it will have been tugging
we will have been tugging
they will have been tugging

IMPERATIVE

you tug
we let´s tug

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to tug

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was tugging
you were tugging
he/she/it was tugging
we were tugging
they were tugging

PAST PARTICIPLE

tugged

PAST PERFECT

I had tugged
you had tugged
he/she/it had tugged
we had tugged
they had tugged

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been tugging
you had been tugging
he/she/it had been tugging
we had been tugging
they had been tugging

PRESENT

I tug
you tug
he/she/it tugs
we tug
they tug

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am tugging
you are tugging
he/she/it is tugging
we are tugging
they are tugging

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

tugging

PRESENT PERFECT

I have tugged
you have tugged
he/she/it has tugged
we have tugged
they have tugged

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been tugging
you have been tugging
he/she/it has been tugging
we have been tugging
they have been tugging

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it tug

SIMPLE PAST

I tugged
you tugged
he/she/it tugged
we tugged
they tugged