Tag

Definition

Tag has various meanings, but commonly, it refers to a label attached to someone or something for the purpose of identification or to give other information. It can also refer to a children's game, or a keyword assigned to a piece of information.

Parts of Speech

Noun
Verb

Pronunciation

American English

IPA Pronunciation: /tæɡ/
Respelling: TAG (with "TAG" rhyming with "bag" and "rag")

British English

IPA Pronunciation: /tæɡ/
Respelling: TAG (similar to American English, with "TAG" rhyming with "bag" and "rag")

In both dialects, "tag" is pronounced with a short "a" sound, as in "bag" or "rag." The pronunciation of "tag" is consistent between American and British English.

Etymology

The word "tag" is believed to have originated from the Old Norse word "tagg" which means "point" or "prickle." Over time, the meaning evolved, leading to the Middle English "tagge." The meaning further expanded over centuries, coming to denote labels, or pieces of fabric hanging from clothing, among other things.

Derivatives

Tagging (verb, noun)
Tagger (noun)
Untagged (adjective)
Retag (verb)
Taggable (adjective)

Synonyms

Label
Marker
Ticket

Antonyms

Unlabel
Detag
None

Usage

The term "tag" has widespread use across various fields such as retail, digital information management, and games. In retail, tags are used to display prices and product information. In digital realms, tags help categorize and find information. In games, 'Tag' is a common playground game where players chase and "tag" each other.

Related Terms

Tagging
Metadata
Label

Detailed Definition

Noun

Label: A small piece of material attached to an object and providing information about it.
Example: The price tag on the dress was $50.

Identification Marker: A piece of plastic or metal, often inscribed with a name or number, used for identifying something.
Example: The soldier wore a dog tag with his name and rank inscribed.