staggers: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
lowtechnical/veterinary, informal/figurative
Quick answer
What does “staggers” mean?
A severe disease of livestock, especially cattle and sheep, caused by toxins from certain fungi or plants, resulting in impaired coordination and a staggering gait.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A severe disease of livestock, especially cattle and sheep, caused by toxins from certain fungi or plants, resulting in impaired coordination and a staggering gait.
Informally, can describe a state of extreme dizziness, confusion, or shock that causes unsteadiness, or figuratively, a condition of being overwhelmed or 'knocked off balance'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The veterinary meaning is shared and primary. The informal figurative use is slightly more common in British English.
Connotations
In both varieties, the figurative use is graphic and slightly old-fashioned or humorous.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general discourse. Higher frequency in veterinary/agricultural contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “staggers” in a Sentence
The [ANIMAL] has staggers.[CAUSE] gave [ANIMAL/PERSON] the staggers.to suffer from staggersVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “staggers” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The vet diagnosed the sheep with ryegrass staggers.
- The sheer cost of the repair bill gave him the staggers.
American English
- Paspalum staggers is a concern for ranchers in the South.
- Her sudden resignation gave the whole department the staggers.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly figurative: 'The sudden market crash gave investors the staggers.'
Academic
Used in veterinary science, agriculture, and toxicology.
Everyday
Rare. Informal figurative use: 'That news gave me the staggers!'
Technical
Standard term in veterinary medicine for specific neurological conditions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “staggers”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “staggers”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “staggers”
- Using it as a singular noun (*a stagg*er).
- Confusing it with the verb 'stagger' in its simple present form ('he staggers').
- Overusing the figurative sense in formal writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Staggers' is a specific noun for a disease or state. 'Staggering' is the present participle/adjective from the verb 'stagger', meaning walking unsteadily or being astonishing.
Not in its primary veterinary sense. Informally, it can be used figuratively for people to mean a state of shock or dizziness.
Typically non-countable. You don't say 'two staggers'. It's usually 'a case of staggers' or 'the staggers'.
Vertigo is a specific medical sensation of spinning, often related to the inner ear. 'Staggers' is broader, describing the unsteady gait itself, and is more associated with poisoning or systemic shock.
A severe disease of livestock, especially cattle and sheep, caused by toxins from certain fungi or plants, resulting in impaired coordination and a staggering gait.
Staggers is usually technical/veterinary, informal/figurative in register.
Staggers: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstæɡəz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstæɡərz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “give (someone) the staggers”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a STAG (male deer) that has eaten something poisonous and is now staggering around unsteadily → STAGGERS.
Conceptual Metaphor
PHYSICAL UNSTEADINESS IS MENTAL/SYSTEMIC SHOCK. (e.g., 'The budget figures gave the minister the staggers.')
Practice
Quiz
In its primary technical sense, 'staggers' refers to: