flag
English meaning: Flag
Definition
A piece of cloth, often decorated with an emblem, used as a visual signal or symbol.
Example
“They raised the national flag at the opening ceremony.”
Another example: “The reviewer flagged several errors in the manuscript.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A piece of cloth as a symbol or signal ('national flag', 'raise a flag'); also a marker or warning sign ('red flag'), and a verb meaning to mark or to weaken ('flag an issue', 'energy flagging'). Everyday register.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From the 16th century, of uncertain origin, perhaps imitative of something flapping; the verb 'to droop' is related.
Synonyms
- swag
- droop
- pin
- flagstone
- sag
- ease up
- ease off
- sword lily
- slack off
- slacken off
Related Words
- bearer
- hoisted
- tricolor
- hoist
- flags
- ensign
- flown
- emblem
- truce
- stripes
Common Collocations
- raise a flag
- red flag
- national flag
- flag down
- white flag
Word Forms
flag (n/v); flags; flagged; flagging
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B