Dice
 
 
 
 
 
synonyms: against
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I heard 'agin' all the time growin' up - but only sometimes nowadays. 
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I heard 'agin' all the time growin' up - but only sometimes nowadays. 

Pronunciation

[uh-GIN]

Meaning & Usage

- Opposed to (preposition, dialect)

Mae:
You for it or agin it?
Earl:
I’m agin it, that’s for sure.

- Leaning on or against (preposition, dialect)

Mae:
Where’s he restin’?
Earl:
Just standin’ agin the post.
★ "Agin" has been around in English for centuries, but it held on strongest in the South and Appalachia. It’s one of those little words that instantly marks country speech. ★

Origin and Etymology

From Old English "ongegn," meaning opposite or facing. Over time, dialects shortened and softened it. In Southern and Appalachian speech, the final "st" dropped, leaving "agin."

Usage Notes

Still heard in rural Southern and Appalachian talk, especially among older generations. Outside the region, it’s rare and often used only in folk songs or to mimic country speech.

Say It Like a Southerner

Play audio Said plain: "uh-gin." The "a-" is quick and soft, and the "st" at the end drops away.

Kin Topics

Related Pages

Common Questions

Does "agin" mean something different from "against"?
No - it’s the same word, just pronounced in dialect.
Is it still used today?
Yes - especially by older Southerners and mountain folk.
Do outsiders recognize it?
Sometimes in folk songs or jokes, but they don’t usually use it themselves.

How to Cite This Page

  • APA (7th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 13). Agin. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/agin
  • MLA (9th edition)
    "The Hillbilly Dude." "Agin." HillbillySlang.com, 13 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/agin.
  • Chicago (17th edition)
    The Hillbilly Dude. "Agin." HillbillySlang.com. September 13, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/agin.
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