tagalong

1 of 2

noun

tag·​along ˈta-gə-ˌlȯŋ How to pronounce tagalong (audio)
Synonyms of tagalongnext
: one that persistently and often annoyingly follows the lead of another

tag along

2 of 2

verb

tagged along; tagging along; tags along

intransitive verb

: to follow another's lead especially in going from one place to another

Examples of tagalong in a Sentence

Noun His little sister was sometimes a tagalong on his outings with his friends.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
While it is believed that the whales and fish have a mutually beneficial relationship, Meynecke was not as sure that the humpbacks were enjoying the tagalongs. — Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025 This quiz will challenge your memory, spark your curiosity, and maybe even teach you something new about the solar system’s most intriguing tagalongs. — Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
Sure enough, two weeks later, Piker flies back to Denver unannounced to give a pep talk to some Kiros canvassers and tag along for last-minute door-knocking. — Josh Eells, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026 Sara Ma, a member of the Chinatown Teen Council, said her brother was involved with Nguyen’s grocery distributions in the past and inspired her to tag along. — Melody Xu, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tagalong

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1935, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tagalong was in 1900

Rhymes for tagalong

See All Rhymes for tagalong

Browse Nearby Words

Tagalog
tagalong
tag along
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tagalong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tagalong. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tagalong

1 of 2 noun
tag·​along ˈtag-ə-ˌlȯŋ How to pronounce tagalong (audio)
: one that tags along

tag along

2 of 2 verb
ˌtag-ə-ˈlȯŋ
: to follow another's lead especially in going from one place to another
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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