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noun B1 Intermediate Uncommon

baggage

BA-gihj

Baggage (noun) means Suitcases, bags, and other belongings carried while traveling. Example: “Please collect your baggage from the carousel after landing.”

noun
1
Suitcases, bags, and other belongings carried while traveling.
"Please collect your baggage from the carousel after landing."
2
Emotional issues or past problems that affect how someone behaves or relates to others.
"He came into the relationship with a lot of emotional baggage from his last breakup."

How to use baggage

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither literal luggage carried while traveling, or figuratively, unresolved personal issues someone carries with them.

Common pairings
emotional baggage excess baggage checked baggage

Word forms

baggages plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Please collect your _____ from the carousel after landing.

Etymology

From Old French bagage, related to bague ("bundle" or "sack"), and ultimately connected to the same root as the English word "bag."

Origin: Old French

belongings gear

Related words

Rhymes for baggage

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Frequently asked questions

What does “baggage” mean?

The word “baggage” means suitcases, bags, and other belongings carried while traveling. In plain terms, either literal luggage carried while traveling, or figuratively, unresolved personal issues someone carries with them.

How do you pronounce “baggage”?

“Baggage” is pronounced BA-gihj (/ˈbæɡɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).

How do you use “baggage” in a sentence?

Here is “baggage” used in a sentence: “Please collect your baggage from the carousel after landing.”

What part of speech is “baggage”?

“Baggage” is a noun.

Where does the word “baggage” come from?

The word “baggage” comes from Old French. From Old French bagage, related to bague ("bundle" or "sack"), and ultimately connected to the same root as the English word "bag.".

Is “baggage” a common word?

“Baggage” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “baggage” have?

“Baggage” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: suitcases, bags, and other belongings carried while traveling.

What is the difference between baggage and luggage?

Baggage and luggage both refer to suitcases, bags, and other belongings carried while traveling, and the two words are largely interchangeable, though "luggage" is somewhat more common in everyday British usage for travel bags specifically.

Is baggage used only to describe physical items?

No. While baggage commonly refers to physical suitcases and bags carried while traveling, it is also widely used figuratively to describe emotional issues or past problems a person carries with them.

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