tag

The word “tag” means a small label attached to an item, showing information such as its price, size, or owner. In plain terms, a label or short note attached to something — physically (like a price tag) or digitally (like a hashtag or a social media mention) — or the children's chasing game.

“Tag” is pronounced TAG (/ˈtæɡ/ in IPA).

Here is “tag” used in a sentence: “She checked the price tag before buying the jacket.”

Words with a similar meaning to “tag” include dobby, it, hit, tig, tiggy and tuggy.

The opposite of “tag” — its antonyms — is LAG.

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

The word “tag” comes from Middle English. From Middle English tagge, "a small hanging piece attached to a garment," likely of North Germanic origin, related to Swedish tagg, "thorn" or "prickle.".

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

The two overlap, but a tag is usually a small, separate piece that hangs or attaches to an item, like a price tag tied on with string. A label is often flatter and stuck or sewn directly onto the surface, such as a clothing care label. Every tag is a kind of label, but not every label is a tag.

Everyday tags include price tags showing cost, size tags on clothing, name tags identifying a person, and luggage tags carrying address details. There are also security tags in shops and electronic RFID tags that can be scanned. Whatever the form, each carries a small piece of information about the item it's attached to.

The price tag on a new shirt is the classic example — a small card or sticker showing what the item costs, often with its size and barcode. A name badge at a conference, a luggage tag on a suitcase, and a dog's identity tag on its collar are all everyday tags too.