label
LAY-buhl
Label (noun) means a small tag, sticker, or printed note attached to something, giving information about it. Example: “She checked the label to see if the shirt could go in the dryer.”
noun
1
A small tag, sticker, or printed note attached to something, giving information about it.
"She checked the label to see if the shirt could go in the dryer."
"The bottle's label listed all the ingredients."
"Please sew a label with your name inside every item of school uniform."
2
A word or phrase used to categorise a person, group, or idea, sometimes in a way that oversimplifies them.
"He resented being given the label of 'troublemaker' after one bad day."
"Political labels rarely capture how complicated someone's views actually are."
"People often put a label on strangers before they have even spoken to them."
3
A company that produces and distributes recorded music.
"The band signed with an independent label rather than a major one."
"Her label released the album two months earlier than planned."
"The singer left her old label and started her own company to release her songs."
verb
1
To attach a label to something, or to describe someone or something with a particular categorising term.
"Please label each box with its contents before the move."
"The media quickly labelled the incident a scandal."
"Teachers should be careful not to label a shy child as unfriendly."
How to use label
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tag that identifies or categorises something, or the act of attaching such a tag — physically, socially, or as a record company.
Common mistake
Be careful using 'label' as a verb to describe people — it often carries a negative or reductive connotation, unlike neutral 'describe' or 'call.'
Common pairings
record label
warning label
label someone as
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Word forms
- Plural
- labels
- Third person singular
- labels
- Past tense
- labeled, labelled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She checked the _____ to see if the shirt could go in the dryer.
Etymology
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."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for label
See all rhymes for label →Frequently asked questions
What does “label” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “label”?
“Label” is pronounced LAY-buhl (/ˈleɪ.bəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “label” in a sentence?
Here is “label” used in a sentence: “She checked the label to see if the shirt could go in the dryer.”
What is another word for “label”?
Words with a similar meaning to “label” include categorise, compartmentalise, peg and pigeonhole.
What part of speech is “label”?
Depending on how it is used, “label” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “label” come from?
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.".
Is “label” a common word?
“Label” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “label” have?
“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.
What is the difference between a label and a tag?
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.
What are the types of labels?
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.
What information does a label usually show?
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.
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