flag-waver: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, slightly pejorative
Quick answer
What does “flag-waver” mean?
A person who makes a loud, enthusiastic, and often public display of patriotism or support for a cause.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who makes a loud, enthusiastic, and often public display of patriotism or support for a cause.
A person who is excessively or uncritically fervent in promoting a particular idea, group, or nation; often implies a showy, simplistic, or jingoistic expression of loyalty.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term with similar meaning. The American spelling is typically 'flag-waver' (with hyphen) or 'flagwaver', while British may also use 'flag-waver'.
Connotations
Slightly more common in American English due to higher prevalence of public flag display and political rallies.
Frequency
Overall low frequency in both, but slightly higher in US media and political commentary.
Grammar
How to Use “flag-waver” in a Sentence
[adjective] flag-waverflag-waver for [cause/nation]accuse someone of being a flag-waverVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; could metaphorically describe a CEO who excessively promotes company culture.
Academic
Used in political science or sociology to critique nationalistic rhetoric.
Everyday
Used to describe someone being overly patriotic, especially during national events or sports.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flag-waver”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flag-waver”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flag-waver”
- Confusing 'flag-waver' (person) with 'flag-waving' (activity).
- Using it as a compliment (it is usually critical).
- Spelling as one word 'flagwaver' (acceptable but less common).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is typically used as mild criticism, implying someone's patriotism is showy, unsophisticated, or excessive.
Yes, metaphorically it can be used for someone who is an uncritically enthusiastic supporter of any cause, brand, or ideology.
A 'patriot' is neutral or positive, denoting love for one's country. A 'flag-waver' suggests that love is expressed in a loud, simplistic, or performative way.
Not commonly. The activity is usually described as 'flag-waving' (noun). One might say 'He's just flag-waving' to describe the behaviour.
A person who makes a loud, enthusiastic, and often public display of patriotism or support for a cause.
Flag-waver is usually informal, slightly pejorative in register.
Flag-waver: in British English it is pronounced /ˈflæɡˌweɪvə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈflæɡˌweɪvər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “wave the flag for something”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone WAVING a FLAG so wildly and constantly that they become defined by that action - they *are* a flag-WAVER.
Conceptual Metaphor
PUBLIC DISPLAY OF LOYALTY IS A PHYSICAL ACT (WAVING); SIMPLISTIC PATRIOTISM IS A PERFORMANCE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'flag-waver' most likely used pejoratively?