English Meaning & Definitions
Looking exhausted, unwell, or worn out, especially from prolonged fatigue, anxiety, or suffering.
- “He looked haggard and drawn after working three consecutive overnight shifts.”
- “Her haggard appearance alarmed her family when she returned from the long ordeal.”
An adult wild hawk caught and trained for falconry.
- “The master falconer demonstrated immense patience while trying to tame the newly caught haggard.”
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “haggard”.
Originating in 16th-century falconry, 'haggard' originally referred to a wild, untamed adult hawk caught after reaching full adult plumage (from Middle French hagard, derived from Middle High German hag, meaning 'hedge' or 'thicket'). Because these wild birds appeared unkempt, wild-eyed, and fiercely worn out, the word expanded in meaning to describe anyone looking exhausted, gaunt, or tormented by stress and fatigue.
Think of an old hag who guarded a castle all night without sleeping—she looked completely haggard the next morning.
Frequently Asked Questions About “haggard”
1. What is the meaning of “haggard” in English?
In English, haggard (adjective) is defined as: “Looking exhausted, unwell, or worn out, especially from prolonged fatigue, anxiety, or suffering.”.
2. How do you use “haggard” in a sentence?
“He looked haggard and drawn after working three consecutive overnight shifts.”
3. What are English synonyms of “haggard”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “haggard”?
Originating in 16th-century falconry, 'haggard' originally referred to a wild, untamed adult hawk caught after reaching full adult plumage (from Middle French hagard, derived from Middle High German hag, meaning 'hedge' or 'thicket'). Because these wild birds appeared unkempt, wild-eyed, and fiercely worn out, the word expanded in meaning to describe anyone looking exhausted, gaunt, or tormented by stress and fatigue.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
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A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.