bag
A1Neutral to informal. Core meaning is neutral; some extended meanings (e.g., slang for person) are informal/offensive.
Definition
Meaning
A flexible container, often made of paper, cloth, or plastic, with an opening at the top, used for carrying or storing items.
The word extends to various specific types of containers (shopping bag, tea bag), a unit of game in hunting, an amount of drugs, an unattractive person (slang, offensive), a particular style or category (e.g., in fashion: "not my bag"), and to secure or catch something (verb).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a count noun. The concept is prototypically a handled, portable container. Its semantics are highly extensible based on function (carrying), material (paper), or content (sleeping bag).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK, 'bag' can specifically mean 'handbag'. In US, 'bag' is generic; 'purse' is common for a woman's handbag. In US sports, 'to bag' can mean to sack the quarterback. 'Carrier bag' (UK) vs. 'shopping bag' (US).
Connotations
Similar core connotations. 'Bag lady' (homeless woman) is common in both. The slang insult 'bag' (unattractive person) is recognized in both but perhaps more common in UK.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties. Specific compound preferences differ (e.g., bin bag/trash bag).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
bag + [object] (verb): He bagged three rabbits.bag + [object] + [prepositional phrase]: She bagged a seat by the window.a bag of + [uncountable noun/plural noun]: a bag of flour, a bag of sweets.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Let the cat out of the bag”
- “In the bag”
- “Bag and baggage”
- “A bag of nerves”
- “A mixed bag”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In retail: 'bagging area', 'gift bag'. In finance: 'to bag a profit' (to secure).
Academic
Rare in core academic writing except in specific fields (ecology: 'litter bag technique'; computing: 'bag of words model').
Everyday
Extremely common for shopping, packing, carrying lunch, etc.
Technical
Medicine: 'colostomy bag'. Aviation: 'baggage'. Hunting: 'game bag'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He managed to bag the last ticket for the show.
- The defender bagged a crucial goal.
- Could you bag up these vegetables for me?
American English
- She bagged a great deal on the car.
- The hunter bagged a ten-point buck.
- I'll bag your groceries at the checkout.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial use.
American English
- No standard adverbial use.
adjective
British English
- She's a bag lady living near the station. (compound noun acting as adjective)
- He had a bag-like appearance in those trousers. (informal)
American English
- The store has a bag fee for plastic bags. (compound noun acting as adjective)
- It was a bag lunch kind of day.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I put my books in my bag.
- Can I have a plastic bag, please?
- She bought a new handbag.
- He packed a small bag for the weekend trip.
- Don't forget your gym bag.
- We need to take the rubbish out in a black bag.
- The deal is practically in the bag after the successful meeting.
- He's a bag of nerves before every presentation.
- The festival was a real mixed bag – some great bands, some terrible food.
- The critic was accused of using the same bag of tricks in every review.
- The new policy has bagged the government some much-needed positive publicity.
- She bagged a prestigious award for her research.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a shopping bag with the letters B-A-G printed on it. Or: A **B**ig **A**nimal **G**athers things in a bag.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER FOR ABSTRACT THINGS: 'a bag of tricks' (resources), 'a bag of nerves' (anxiety). CAPTURING IS BAGGING: 'bag a prize', 'bag a seat'. CATEGORY IS A CONTAINER: 'not my bag' (not my interest).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate 'bag' as 'сумка' for all contexts. 'Сумка' is closer to 'handbag' or 'purse'. A plastic grocery bag is 'пакет'.
- 'Tea bag' is 'чайный пакетик', not *чайный мешок.
- The verb 'to bag' (to get/catch) has no direct single-word Russian equivalent; use 'урвать', 'заполучить', or 'подстрелить' (for game).
Common Mistakes
- Uncountable use: *'I need a bag for my rices.' (Correct: '...for my rice' or '...for bags of rice').
- Preposition: 'in the bag' vs. 'on the bag'. We put things *in* a bag.
- Spelling: Confusion with 'beg'.
- Article: 'She carried bag.' (Correct: 'She carried a bag/the bag/her bag').
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is NOT a common meaning of 'bag'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily countable (a bag, two bags). However, when referring to the material or concept in some compounds, it can be uncountable (e.g., 'bag manufacturing').
A 'bag' is the general term. A 'sack' is typically larger, made of coarse material (e.g., sack of potatoes). A 'purse' (US) or 'handbag' (UK) is specifically for personal items, often carried by women.
No, it's a neutral idiom meaning to reveal a secret, often accidentally. It is not inherently rude.
Yes, commonly. It means 1) to put something into a bag, 2) to catch or kill game, 3) (informal) to secure or obtain something desirable (e.g., 'bag a seat', 'bag a trophy').
Collections
Part of a collection
Colors and Clothes
A1 · 45 words · Colors and common items of clothing.