string bag: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

B1
UK/ˈstrɪŋ ˌbæɡ/US/ˈstrɪŋ ˌbæɡ/

informal, everyday

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Quick answer

What does “string bag” mean?

A simple bag made of a mesh of string or cord, often used for carrying groceries or produce.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A simple bag made of a mesh of string or cord, often used for carrying groceries or produce.

A lightweight, collapsible, reusable bag made from woven or knotted netting, typically associated with shopping, beach use, or casual storage. It often signifies practicality and eco-friendliness.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Common and well-understood in both varieties. In American English, 'mesh bag' is a frequent alternative.

Connotations

UK: Strongly associated with traditional shopping, often for fruits/vegetables, and with a slightly old-fashioned or 'granny chic' aesthetic. US: Connotes environmental consciousness (as a reusable alternative to plastic) and casual utility.

Frequency

Slightly more common in UK English, but widely used in both.

Grammar

How to Use “string bag” in a Sentence

VERB + string bag: carry, pack, fill, pull outADJECTIVE + string bag: reusable, woven, netted, bulging

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
carry a string bagreusable string bagwoven string bagnylon string bag
medium
fill a string bagpack a string baglightweight string bagmarket string bag
weak
old string bagbulging string bagknitted string bagecological string bag

Examples

Examples of “string bag” in a Sentence

noun

British English

  • She always keeps a folded string bag in her handbag for unplanned shopping.
  • The greengrocer weighed the oranges directly in the customer's string bag.

American English

  • I bought a couple of string bags for carrying produce from the farmers market.
  • Her string bag was filled with library books and a water bottle.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rare. May appear in retail contexts selling eco-friendly products.

Academic

Very rare.

Everyday

Common, especially in discussions about shopping, markets, and sustainable living.

Technical

Rare. Textile or manufacturing contexts might specify materials.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “string bag”

Strong

produce bagmarket bag

Neutral

mesh bagnet bagshopping net

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “string bag”

plastic bagpaper bagstructured bagsuitcase

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “string bag”

  • Using 'string bag' to refer to a bag with string *handles* (e.g., a paper bag with string). The defining feature is the bag's body being made of string/netting.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Not exactly. A 'tote bag' is a broader term for a large, open bag with parallel handles. A string bag is a *type* of tote bag, but one specifically made from a string mesh. Tote bags are often made of canvas, leather, or other solid materials.

Yes, most string bags, especially those made of cotton or synthetic fibers like nylon, can be hand-washed or put in a delicate machine wash. This is one of their practical advantages.

They are reusable, durable, washable, and often made from natural materials like cotton. They replace single-use plastic bags, reducing waste. Their production also typically has a lower environmental footprint than plastic bag manufacturing.

This is the Russian cultural counterpart to the string bag. Its name comes from the word 'авось' (meaning 'perhaps' or 'maybe'), humorously reflecting the Soviet habit of always carrying a bag 'just in case' you found something to buy in a shop.

A simple bag made of a mesh of string or cord, often used for carrying groceries or produce.

String bag is usually informal, everyday in register.

String bag: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstrɪŋ ˌbæɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstrɪŋ ˌbæɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • (informal) Everything but the kitchen sink: e.g., 'She arrived with a string bag stuffed with everything but the kitchen sink.'

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of STRINGS woven together to make a BAG.

Conceptual Metaphor

SIMPLICITY IS A STRING BAG (represents uncomplicated, practical utility).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
Before heading to the market, she grabbed her sturdy canvas tote and a lightweight for the lemons and limes.
Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a typical characteristic of a string bag?

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