bags
A1Neutral - common in all registers.
Definition
Meaning
A flexible container, typically made of cloth, paper, or plastic, with an opening at the top, used for carrying or storing items.
Can refer to loose, sagging skin or folds under the eyes. As a verb (to bag): to put into a bag; to claim or reserve something; to succeed in catching or killing.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The plural form is standard when referring to multiple containers. In idiomatic expressions (e.g., 'pack your bags'), it retains its literal container sense. Can denote a style or type in fashion (e.g., 'tote bags').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. 'Carrier bag' (UK) vs. 'shopping bag' (US). The verb 'to bag' meaning 'to claim' is common in both, but the phrase 'bags I...' (UK) meaning 'I claim...' is chiefly British, childish/informal.
Connotations
In fashion, 'It bag' denotes a highly desirable designer handbag. 'Bags under the eyes' is a universal phrase for puffiness.
Frequency
Highly frequent in both varieties, with near-identical core usage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + pack + bags[Subject] + put + [Object] + in/into + bags[Subject] + have/get + bags under + [Possessive] + eyesVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pack your bags (leave)”
- “let the cat out of the bag (reveal a secret)”
- “in the bag (certain to be won/achieved)”
- “bags under your eyes (tiredness)”
- “mixed bag (assortment)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to packaging, bulk goods ('sold in 10kg bags'), or a quantifier ('a bag of cement').
Academic
Rare in core academic writing; appears in specific fields like biology ('seed bags'), chemistry, or retail studies.
Everyday
Ubiquitous for shopping, travel, storage, and waste disposal.
Technical
In computing, 'bag' can refer to an unordered multiset data structure.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Bags I the front seat!
- He finally bagged a prize.
- We managed to bag a table by the window.
American English
- He bagged a deer during hunting season.
- She bagged her groceries quickly.
- I bagged that promotion!
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form)
adjective
British English
- (Rare as adjective) 'Bag-like' shape. More common in compounds: 'bags-free' (no luggage charge).
American English
- (Rare as adjective) Used in compounds: 'bag-lady', 'bag-style' pants.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She carries her books in a blue bag.
- We need plastic bags for the shopping.
- I packed my bags for the holiday.
- Could you hold this bag for a moment?
- The airline allows one cabin bag and one personal item.
- He had dark bags under his eyes from lack of sleep.
- The policy aims to reduce the use of single-use carrier bags.
- It's a real mixed bag of results from the survey—some good, some terrible.
- She's eyeing that designer bag, but it's far too expensive.
- The novel's characters are a fascinating bag of contradictions and hidden depths.
- Having bagged the crucial contract, the firm could now expand into new markets.
- The algorithm uses a bag-of-words model for initial text classification.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound a ZIPPER makes on a BAG: 'ZZZ' for the plural 'S' - BAG-Z.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER FOR RESOURCES/OPPORTUNITIES (e.g., 'He's got a bag of tricks', 'cash bag').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'packages' or 'boxes' for soft containers. Russian 'сумка' is closer to 'handbag' or 'purse'. 'Bag' is more generic.
- The plural form 'bags' is often needed where Russian might use the singular ('I bought two bags of apples' vs. 'Я купил два пакета яблок').
Common Mistakes
- Using 'luggages' (uncountable) instead of 'bags' or 'pieces of luggage'.
- Mispronouncing the final /ɡz/ cluster as /ks/ or /ɡs/.
- Using 'a bag' for rigid containers like 'a box' or 'a case'.
Practice
Quiz
In the idiom 'let the cat out of the bag', what does 'bag' metaphorically represent?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Countable. You can have one bag, two bags, many bags.
They are often synonymous, but 'sack' often implies a larger, coarser material (like hessian/burlap) and is used for bulk goods like potatoes or coal. 'Bag' is more general.
Yes. The verb 'to bag' (present tense: he bags, they bagged) means to put into a bag, to claim something, or to succeed in catching/killing/getting.
It's a metaphor comparing the loose, puffy skin that can form below the eyes to small, sagging bags or pouches.