staggered: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Informal
Quick answer
What does “staggered” mean?
To walk or move unsteadily, as if about to fall.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To walk or move unsteadily, as if about to fall; to arrange events or objects so they do not occur or align at the same time.
To astonish or deeply shock someone; to arrange in an overlapping or alternating pattern for practical or visual effect.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The verb 'stagger' and its forms are used identically in core meanings. 'Staggered' as an adjective (e.g., 'staggered junction') is common in UK road terminology, less so in US.
Connotations
Identical in core meanings. The UK-specific road term is purely technical.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English due to specific technical uses (e.g., working hours, railway timetables, road layouts). The figurative 'astonished' sense is equally common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “staggered” in a Sentence
He staggered [Adv. of Direction]They staggered the [Noun: e.g., meetings, payments]I was staggered by/at [Noun Phrase/Clause]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “staggered” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The boxer staggered under the heavy blow.
- We need to stagger the lunch breaks to keep the canteen quiet.
American English
- He staggered out of the bar at closing time.
- The company staggered the layoffs over three months.
adverb
British English
- The troops advanced staggered across the open ground. (rare)
American English
- (Adverbial use is exceptionally rare; 'in a staggered way/manner' is preferred.)
adjective
British English
- She had a staggered start to her working day.
- The enquiry revealed a series of staggered payments.
American English
- The skyscraper's windows were in a staggered pattern.
- He was staggered by the generosity of the donation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
'Staggered payments' or 'staggered shifts' to manage cash flow or workforce coverage.
Academic
Used in descriptions of experimental design or phased implementation.
Everyday
Describing unsteady walking or expressing extreme surprise.
Technical
Engineering/architecture: 'staggered joints'; Computing: 'staggered release' of software updates.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “staggered”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “staggered”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “staggered”
- Using 'staggered' to mean 'very tired' (use 'exhausted'). Incorrect preposition: 'staggered from the news' (use 'by' or 'at'). Overusing the figurative sense for mild surprise.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, its most common uses now are for expressing shock and arranging things at intervals.
It is acceptable in both formal and informal contexts to express strong surprise.
They are synonyms, but 'staggered' often implies the shock was so great it felt like a physical jolt.
As /d/ after the voiced /ə/ sound. It is not a separate syllable: /ˈstæɡərd/ (US), /ˈstaɡəd/ (UK).
To walk or move unsteadily, as if about to fall.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Staggered to the finish line”
- “Stagger like a drunk”
- “A staggered approach”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a STAG (deer) that's been hurt; it doesn't run straight but moves in a STAGgered, wobbly way.
Conceptual Metaphor
SHOCK IS A PHYSICAL BLOW ("The news staggered him"). TIME IS SPACE (Events are placed at non-overlapping points along a timeline).
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, what does 'staggered' most likely refer to?