bag
bag
Pronunciation
Bag: /bæɡ/
Syllable 1:
/b/ - voiced bilabial stop
/æ/ - near-open front unrounded vowel
/ɡ/ - voiced velar stop
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: bag
Plural Noun: bags
Verb (base form): bag
Verb (third-person singular present): bags
Verb (present participle): bagging
Verb (past tense/past participle): bagged
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A flexible container, typically made of paper, plastic, or cloth, with an opening at the top, used for carrying or storing items.
Synonyms: sack, pouch, carrier, receptacle
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes a container)
An item of luggage, often made of leather or durable fabric, used for carrying clothes and personal belongings, especially for travel.
Synonyms: suitcase, valise, satchel, holdall
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
A specific amount of something contained within a bag.
Example: A bag of chips, a bag of groceries.
Synonyms: package, portion, quantity
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
A person's particular area of interest, skill, or expertise. (Informal)
Synonyms: forte, specialty, bailiwick, niche
Antonyms: weakness, disinterest
Verb
To put something into a bag.
Synonyms: pack, load, stow
Antonyms: unload, empty, unpack
To catch or kill an animal, especially game.
Synonyms: snare, capture, hunt, net
Antonyms: release, free, miss
To obtain or secure something desirable, often as a prize or achievement. (Informal)
Synonyms: acquire, get, win, obtain, land
Antonyms: lose, forfeit, miss
To hang loosely or bulge outwards, typically said of clothes or skin.
Synonyms: sag, droop, bulge, distend
Antonyms: tighten, firm, tauten
Examples of Use
Books:
"Hermione rummaged in her bag and pulled out a small, beaded purse." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows)
"He carried his meager possessions in a worn canvas bag slung over his shoulder." (Cormac McCarthy, The Road)
Newspapers:
"The city council announced a new initiative to reduce plastic bag use in grocery stores." (The New York Times, Environmental Section, 2025)
"Police recovered a bag containing stolen jewelry from the suspect's apartment." (Daily Nation, Crime Report, 2025)
Online Publications:
"Five stylish weekender bags perfect for your next spontaneous getaway." (Forbes.com, Travel Guide, 2025)
"The influencer shared her tips for organizing a minimalist capsule wardrobe, complete with a carefully curated travel bag." (Vogue.com, Lifestyle Section, 2025)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: (Character on screen, holding a large duffel bag) "I've got everything we need right here in this bag." (Ocean's Eleven, Warner Bros. Pictures, 2001)
Television Series: (Detective examining evidence) "Looks like our suspect dropped his bag in the alley as he fled." (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, Aired June 5, 2025)
Music (Song Lyrics): "Got my money in my bag, ready to fly." (Drake, "God's Plan," 2018)
Video Games: (In-game notification) "You found a loot bag! Press 'X' to open." (Fortnite, Epic Games, 2017)
Podcasts: "In this episode, we discuss the challenges of packing a smart carry-on bag for international travel." (The Travel Podcast, Episode 72, 2025)
General Public Discourse:
(Overheard in a coffee shop) "Can I get a paper bag for these pastries?"
(Friend to friend) "This new project is totally my bag, I'm really excited about it."
(Parent to child) "Don't forget to pack your swim bag for the pool!"
(Someone describing a difficult situation) "He was left holding the bag when the deal fell apart."
10 Famous Quotes Using Bag
"It's not about the bag you carry, but what you carry in the bag." (Unknown)
"The bigger the bag, the more you can put in it." (Proverb)
"Don't put all your eggs in one bag." (Common idiom, derived from "basket")
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy a plane ticket, and that's kind of the same bag." (Unknown)
"Every man has his bag of troubles." (Old saying)
"Life is like a mixed bag of nuts – you never know what you're gonna get." (Paraphrased, similar to Forrest Gump's "box of chocolates")
"When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the ones which open for us." (Alexander Graham Bell, metaphorical use of "bag" or "bundle" of opportunities)
"My bag is packed and I'm ready to go." (John Denver, "Leaving on a Jet Plane")
"You can always tell a lot about a person by the contents of their bag." (Lesser-known observation)
"Sometimes, the simplest things, like a quiet evening and a good book, are just my bag." (Original quote)
Etymology
The word "bag" in English has an interesting history, stemming from a mix of influences.
Its journey to English likely begins with the Old Norse word "baggi," which meant something like a "pack" or "bundle." This connection makes sense when you think about the Vikings and their travels, carrying their belongings. The earliest known use of "bag" in English dates back to around 1225, appearing in a text called "Ancrene Riwle," and at that time, it already held the meaning of a "small sack" or "pouch."
However, it's not just a straightforward borrowing from Old Norse. The word "bag" also seems to have been influenced by Old French, particularly words like "bague" (meaning a small chest or trunk) or "bagges" (meaning equipment or baggage). These French words themselves are thought to have come from a Germanic source, possibly related to the same roots as the Old Norse "baggi."
So, in simple terms, the word "bag" probably came into English mainly from the Vikings (Old Norse) who brought their word for "pack" or "bundle." But it also got a little help from Old French, which had similar words that also traced back to Germanic origins. The core meaning, from its very first recorded use, has consistently been about a flexible container for carrying things.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Bag
Let the cat out of the bag: To reveal a secret.
To be in the bag: To be certain or assured of success.
To hold the bag: To be left with the responsibility or blame for something, especially something unpleasant.
To bag a bargain: To successfully buy something at a good price.
To bag a prize/award: To win a prize or award.
To have bags under one's eyes: To have dark, puffy areas under the eyes, often due to lack of sleep.
To bag an item/purchase: To put an item into a bag after purchase.
A mixed bag: A collection or situation that contains a variety of different things, some good and some bad.
To be in one's bag: To be particularly good at something; to be one's specialty or preference.
Bag and baggage: With all of one's belongings; completely.
That's not my bag: That's not something I'm interested in or good at.
To bag some Zs: To get some sleep (using "bag" as a verb for obtaining).
To bag on someone: To criticize or make fun of someone (less common, informal).
To get your bag: To achieve your goals or secure what you're after.
To have a bag of tricks: To have a variety of clever methods or resources available.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of bag from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
