baggage
B1Neutral to formal for literal meaning; informal to neutral for figurative meaning.
Definition
Meaning
The suitcases, bags, and containers in which a person's possessions are packed for travel.
1. The emotional history or psychological problems a person carries that affect their present life and relationships. 2. In a broader sense, any unwanted burdens or consequences carried over from past experiences.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The figurative sense is an extremely common metaphor in English. Literal 'baggage' is a collective noun (like 'luggage'). The plural 'baggages' is rare but can be used in specialised contexts to refer to different types or sets of baggage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'luggage' is more common than 'baggage' for the literal sense in everyday contexts (e.g., 'luggage carousel'). 'Baggage' is often used by airlines and in transport contexts. In American English, 'baggage' is the standard term for the literal sense in most travel contexts.
Connotations
No significant difference in connotations for the figurative sense; both use it equally.
Frequency
Higher literal usage frequency in AmE. Comparable figurative usage frequency.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to have baggageto carry baggageto deal with someone's baggageto leave one's baggageto check one's baggagebaggage from [a past event]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bag and baggage (completely, with all possessions)”
- “excess baggage (unnecessary burden)”
- “leave your baggage at the door”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in travel/tourism industry: 'baggage fees', 'baggage handling system'. Figuratively in HR/management: 'He brings a lot of old baggage from his previous role.'
Academic
Used in psychology/sociology texts: 'the cultural baggage of colonialism', 'intergenerational trauma and emotional baggage'.
Everyday
Literal: 'I need to pack my baggage.' Figurative: 'I don't want a relationship with all that baggage.'
Technical
Aviation/transport: 'maximum baggage dimensions', 'baggage reconciliation system'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- 'Baggage' is not used as a verb in standard British English.
American English
- 'Baggage' is not used as a verb in standard American English.
adverb
British English
- 'Baggage' is not used as an adverb.
American English
- 'Baggage' is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- 'Baggage' is not used as an adjective. The related adjective is 'baggageless'. (e.g., 'He arrived surprisingly baggageless.')
American English
- 'Baggage' is not used as an adjective. The related adjective is 'baggageless'. (e.g., 'She traveled baggageless for the weekend.')
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We put our baggage in the car.
- How much baggage can I take on the plane?
- Please take your baggage to the check-in desk.
- He arrived with a lot of emotional baggage from his childhood.
- The airline lost my baggage during the connection in Frankfurt.
- Before we start this project, we need to address the baggage from the previous failed attempt.
- The cultural baggage of imperialism continues to influence international relations.
- She argued that the ideological baggage accompanying the term made it unsuitable for a neutral academic discussion.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a person dragging a giant, heavy bag labelled 'Past Relationships' or 'Regrets'. The 'bag' part of 'baggage' visually connects to the literal meaning, and the '-gage' (sounds like 'gage' in 'engage' or 'mortgage', implying a burden) hints at the figurative weight.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS ARE PHYSICAL BURDENS CARRIED DURING TRAVEL. (e.g., 'carry baggage', 'unpack your baggage', 'leave your baggage behind').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'багаж' (bagazh) in all contexts. While 'baggage' translates directly to 'багаж', the Russian word is used almost exclusively for the literal meaning. Using 'багаж' metaphorically (e.g., 'эмоциональный багаж') is a direct calque from English and may sound unnatural or overly psychological in casual Russian. In Russian, consider using 'груз' (burden), 'проблемы' (problems), or 'опыт' (experience) depending on the nuance.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'luggages' as a plural (incorrect; 'luggage' is uncountable). 'Baggage' as a countable noun in the literal sense ('I have three baggages' is wrong; use 'pieces of baggage' or 'bags'). Confusing 'baggage' (emotional) with 'luggage' (always physical).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'baggage' most likely to be used in its figurative sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is generally an uncountable/mass noun. You say 'some baggage' or 'a lot of baggage', not 'three baggages'. For counting, use 'pieces of baggage' or 'bags'.
In modern usage, they are synonyms for the literal meaning, with regional preferences (AmE favors 'baggage', BrE favors 'luggage' for everyday talk). 'Baggage' is the only term used for the common figurative meaning (emotional/historical burdens). 'Luggage' is rarely used figuratively.
Yes, but it's more natural to refer to it as 'a piece of baggage' or 'a bag/suitcase'. 'Baggage' often implies the collective set of items.
It is a very well-established and commonly used metaphor. In casual conversation and popular psychology, it is perfectly acceptable. In very formal or literary writing, a writer might seek a fresher metaphor, but it is not incorrect.
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