label
B1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A small piece of paper, fabric, or similar material attached to an object giving information about it or identifying it.
A classifying phrase, name, or symbol applied to a person, group, or concept, often in a reductive or judgmental way; to assign such a name or category.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun referring to a physical tag. As a verb, it means to attach such a tag or, more abstractly, to categorise. The abstract/categorising sense is common in social and business contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and pronunciation are identical. The verb 'to label' is regular in both (labeled/labelled, labeling/labelling). Minor differences in phrasing (e.g., 'record label' vs 'label' in music).
Connotations
Identical. The negative connotation of 'labelling' someone is equally strong in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
label + object (The jar was labelled.)label + object + as + noun/phrase (They labelled him a troublemaker.)label + object + with + noun (Label the box with your name.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[verb] To be labelled as...”
- “[noun] A badge/label of honour/disgrace”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a company brand, especially in fashion ('designer label') or music ('signed to a major label'). Also used for store-brand products ('supermarket's own label').
Academic
Used in social sciences to discuss the categorization of people or groups ('social labelling theory'). In biology/chemistry, to tag substances for tracking.
Everyday
Refers to tags on clothes, food packaging, or jars. Used abstractly: "I don't like to label my music."
Technical
In computing, a name for a memory location, line of code, or data field. In chemistry/biology, to use radioactive or fluorescent markers.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Please label all the files clearly.
- She felt unfairly labelled as lazy.
- They are labelling the packages for shipment.
American English
- Make sure you label the boxes before moving.
- The media quickly labeled him a hero.
- The scientist is labeling the samples with a radioactive tracer.
adverb
British English
- N/A - 'label' is not used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A - 'label' is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- N/A - 'label' is not standardly used as an adjective.
American English
- N/A - 'label' is not standardly used as an adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Look at the label on your shirt.
- The price is on the label.
- I can't read the label. It's too small.
- The bottle has a warning label.
- She works for a famous fashion label.
- Please label your luggage with your name.
- The report was labelled 'confidential'.
- He didn't want to be labelled as a pessimist.
- The band just got a deal with an independent record label.
- Sociologists study the effects of labelling theory on young offenders.
- The product was erroneously labelled as 'organic'.
- Her innovative designs have become the label's hallmark.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LAybel on a LAmp, telling you if it's BRIGHT or not. LA-BEL: LA for 'Look At', BEL for 'to BELong to' (its category).
Conceptual Metaphor
CATEGORIES ARE CONTAINERS (to put someone in a labelled box); IDENTITY IS A TAG.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'лейбл' (used only for fashion/music brands in Russian).
- The verb 'to label' is more specific than 'называть'. It implies an official or fixed categorization, often negative.
- Avoid using 'label' for a general 'sign' or 'plate' (like on a building); use 'sign' or 'plaque'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *'He was labelling like a criminal.' Correct: 'He was labelled as a criminal.'
- Incorrect spelling in past tense (mix of US/UK rules): 'labelled' (UK) vs. 'labeled' (US).
- Using 'label' as a synonym for any 'name' rather than a reductive category.
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, what does 'private label' typically refer to?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is regular. The past tense is labelled/labeled. However, remember the spelling difference: double 'l' in British English (labelled), single 'l' in American English (labeled).
Not exactly. 'To label' implies assigning a fixed, often simplistic or judgmental category. 'To call' is more general. 'He called me his friend' is fine, but 'He labelled me his friend' sounds odd and reductive.
They are often interchangeable for physical items. A 'tag' is often a loose attachment (like a price tag), while a 'label' is often glued or sewn on (like a clothing label). 'Label' is used for abstract categorisation ('social label'), whereas 'tag' is not.
No, the standard pronunciation /ˈleɪb(ə)l/ is virtually identical in both major varieties. The vowel sound and stress pattern are the same.