badge
B1Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
A small piece of metal, plastic, or cloth with a design or words on it, worn to show membership, support, achievement, or authority.
Any distinctive mark, sign, or object that serves as a symbol of identity, status, or accomplishment; also used metaphorically to describe a characteristic or experience that defines someone.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun. The verb form (to badge) is less common and often specific to contexts of issuing or marking with a badge. The word carries connotations of official recognition, membership, or earned status.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning. The verb 'to badge' is slightly more common in British administrative/security contexts (e.g., 'badged personnel').
Connotations
Similar in both varieties. In UK contexts, 'badge' may be more strongly associated with scouting or formal uniforms.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
wear a badgeshow (someone) one's badgebe issued with a badgebadge (someone) as (something)serve as a badge of (something)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a badge of honour”
- “a badge of courage”
- “badge of office”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to employee identification for access and security (e.g., 'Swipe your badge to enter').
Academic
Used metaphorically (e.g., 'Poverty should not be a badge of shame').
Everyday
Physical item for events, clubs, or as decoration (e.g., 'I got a souvenir badge from the museum').
Technical
In computing, a digital icon representing an achievement (e.g., 'gamification badge').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- All visitors must be badged and escorted.
- The security officer badged me into the restricted area.
American English
- The conference staff badged everyone at registration.
- He was badged as a VIP for the event.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher gave me a star badge for good work.
- He wears a badge with his name on it at work.
- You need your security badge to enter the office building.
- She collected badges from every national park she visited.
- For him, the scar was a badge of honour, a reminder of his survival.
- The new policy requires all contractors to be visibly badged at all times.
- The legislation was seen as a cynical attempt to badge populist policies as economic reform.
- Her fluency in the local dialect served as an invisible badge of her deep cultural immersion.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BADGER wearing a police BADGE. The animal and the word share the first four letters.
Conceptual Metaphor
STATUS/IDENTITY IS A WORN OBJECT (e.g., 'He wears his humility like a badge'). EXPERIENCE IS A MARK (e.g., 'Her scars are a badge of survival').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'знак' (sign) for all contexts. A badge is typically a physical object worn, not a general sign. The Russian 'бейдж' is a direct borrowing and is correct for ID badges.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'badge' for a large sign or plaque (use 'plaque' or 'sign'). Confusing 'badge' with 'medal' (a medal is specifically for military or sporting achievement).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'badge' used metaphorically?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. It can be used as a verb meaning 'to mark or identify with a badge', but this is less common and more specific to formal/organisational contexts.
In the context of pins, they are often interchangeable in American English. 'Button' can imply a larger, sometimes printed pin, while 'badge' may suggest a more official or metallic item. In British English, 'badge' is the more common generic term.
Yes, especially in e-learning and gaming ('gamification'). Digital badges are icons that represent achievements or completed skills.
It's an idiom meaning something (often a hardship or criticism) that a person wears or treats proudly as proof of their character or experience.