label

The word “label” means a small tag, sticker, or printed note attached to something, giving information about it. In plain terms, a tag that identifies or categorises something, or the act of attaching such a tag — physically, socially, or as a record company.

“Label” is pronounced LAY-buhl (/ˈleɪ.bəl/ in IPA).

Here is “label” used in a sentence: “She checked the label to see if the shirt could go in the dryer.”

Words with a similar meaning to “label” include categorise, compartmentalise, peg and pigeonhole.

Depending on how it is used, “label” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “label” comes from Old French. From Old French label/lambel, "a strip of cloth or ribbon," ultimately from a Germanic word for a flap or rag — the same root that gives English "lap" and "lapel.".

“Label” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Label” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small tag, sticker, or printed note attached to something, giving information about it.

The two overlap, but a label is usually stuck or printed onto something and carries information, like a jar's ingredient label. A tag is often a small card or ticket tied or clipped on, such as a price tag or luggage tag. Labels tend to stay attached, while tags are easier to remove.

Labels come in many forms: adhesive stickers, tie-on tags, printed tags sewn into clothing, and barcode or address labels. There are also warning labels, nutrition labels, and shipping labels. The type depends on its job, whether that is identifying, pricing, instructing, or giving safety information.

A label gives key details about the item it is attached to. On products this often means the name, brand, price, size, ingredients or materials, and care or safety instructions. The aim is to tell you quickly what something is, what it contains, and how to use it.