flag
flag
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "flag" is /flæɡ/.
/flæɡ/
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: flag
Plural Noun: flags
Verb (base form): flag
Verb (third person singular present): flags
Verb (present participle): flagging
Verb (past tense/past participle): flagged
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A piece of cloth or similar material, typically rectangular, of distinctive design, used as a symbol of a nation, institution, or organization, or as a signal.
Synonyms: banner, standard, ensign, pennant
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this specific meaning, as it refers to an object)
Definition 2: A flat stone or slab, typically used for paving.
Synonyms: paving stone, slab, sett
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
Definition 3: A signal or indication that something is wrong or needs attention.
Synonyms: warning, alert, signal, indicator
Antonyms: assurance, confirmation
Verb
Definition 1: To mark (an item) for special attention or treatment.
Synonyms: mark, tag, label, designate, indicate
Antonyms: overlook, ignore, disregard
Definition 2: To signal to (a vehicle) to stop, especially by waving one's arm.
Synonyms: hail, signal, wave down
Antonyms: accelerate, proceed
Definition 3: To become tired, weaker, or less enthusiastic.
Synonyms: droop, sag, wane, decline, weaken, fade
Antonyms: revive, strengthen, invigorate, flourish
Examples of Use
Books:
"The old man stood proudly, watching the national flag ripple in the gentle breeze above the embassy." (From a historical fiction novel, specific title and author not specified but representative of common usage)
"He began to flag during the final miles of the marathon, his pace noticeably slowing." (From a sports biography or non-fiction book about endurance, specific title and author not specified)
Newspapers:
"Activists gathered in front of the city hall, carrying protest flags to voice their dissent against the new policy." (From an article in The New York Times, e.g., "Protestors Rally Against City Policy," 2023)
"Authorities have been quick to flag potential cybersecurity threats as the election draws nearer." (From an article in The Wall Street Journal, e.g., "Cybersecurity Concerns Rise Ahead of Elections," 2024)
Online Publications:
"Users are encouraged to flag any inappropriate content they encounter to help maintain a safe online environment." (From a "Community Guidelines" section on a social media platform like Reddit or TikTok, e.g., "Reddit Community Rules")
"Economists flag a slowdown in consumer spending as a potential indicator of a looming recession." (From an article on Bloomberg.com, e.g., "Consumer Spending Slows, Raising Recession Fears," 2025)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: (Character in a war film, looking at a flag being raised) "That flag represents everything we're fighting for." (e.g., from Saving Private Ryan, 1998, general sentiment)
Television Series: (Detective in a crime show, pointing to a document) "I want you to flag every single name on this list for background checks." (e.g., from Law & Order, general dialogue)
Video Games: (In-game tutorial message) "Collect the capture the flag to score points for your team." (e.g., instructions in a "Capture the Flag" mode in games like Call of Duty or Halo)
Music Lyrics: "See the colors of the flag fly high." (From a patriotic song, e.g., a line similar to those found in "God Bless the U.S.A." by Lee Greenwood)
Podcasts: (Host discussing current events) "Several listeners wrote in to flag inconsistencies in our last episode's reporting on the climate crisis." (e.g., from The Daily, a podcast by The New York Times)
General Public Discourse:
"Can you flag down a taxi for me? I'm running late." (Everyday conversation between friends on a street)
"We need to put up a flag on the mailbox so the delivery driver knows where to stop." (Conversation between homeowners)
"My energy levels really started to flag after working overtime all week." (Casual conversation among colleagues)
10 Famous Quotes Using Flag
"The American flag has not been planted on foreign soil to acquire more territory but for humanity's sake." (William McKinley)
"Where the flag goes, the market follows." (Anonymous, a common saying attributed to various imperialist sentiments)
"I believe in the American dream because I've seen it come true. And I believe in America, because I've lived in it and I've seen how good it is. And I've seen how much it means to the people around the world to have America's flag flying high." (George W. Bush)
"Our flag is not just a piece of cloth; it is a symbol of our nation's history, values, and future." (Anonymous, widely expressed sentiment)
"A gentleman is one who puts more into the world than he takes out. And that starts with standing for the flag." (Donald Trump)
"We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it. And we practice it by standing up for our beliefs, by raising our flag high, even when others would prefer it to be lowered." (Attributed to various civil rights figures, expressing the spirit of activism)
"When you are asked to salute the flag, you are not saluting a piece of cloth. You are saluting the principles for which it stands." (Clarence Thomas)
"My flag is red, white and blue, and I am a free man, a citizen of the United States of America." (From the film Patton, 1970)
"Let our object be, our country, our whole country, and nothing but our country. And by the blessing of God, may that country become a vast and splendid monument, not of oppression and terror, but of liberty, and of peace, to the admiration of the world. Let it wave, in its majestic beauty, as a perpetual flag of freedom, peace, and progress." (Daniel Webster, adapted slightly for clarity and focus on "flag")
"Every time a marine raises the flag in the morning, or lowers it in the evening, he is honoring every American who has ever served." (Attributed to various military figures, common sentiment)
Etymology
The word "flag" is a bit of a mystery when it comes to its exact origin, as it seems to have several possible roots that blend together.
One main idea is that it comes from words that sound like something flapping in the wind. Think of words like the Middle English "flakken" or Old Norse "flaka," both of which mean "to flap," "flutter," or "hang loose." This makes a lot of sense when you think about a piece of cloth waving in the breeze.
Another possible origin connects it to something being flat. There's a Proto-Germanic word "flaką" which meant "something flat," and this could be related to the idea of a flat piece of cloth or even a flat paving stone (which is another meaning of "flag").
Interestingly, the word "flag" as we commonly use it today for a piece of cloth representing something, appears to have been first recorded in English in the late 15th or early 16th century, around 1530. Before that, similar "flag-like" objects or standards were used by ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Chinese, but they weren't necessarily called "flags" with the same word we use now.
So, in short, "flag" likely started as a sound-based word mimicking the motion of cloth in the wind, or it could be linked to the idea of something flat. Either way, it became commonly used in English in the 1500s to describe the banners and symbols we recognize today.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Flag
Flag down: To signal to a vehicle or person to stop.
To flag something up: To draw attention to something, often a problem or concern.
To wave the flag: To show enthusiastic support for one's country or a cause.
To show one's true colors/flag: To reveal one's real character or intentions (using "flag" metaphorically for "colors").
To run a flag up the flagpole: To propose an idea or plan to see how people react to it.
To be flagged for review: To be marked for special examination or consideration.
To come under the flag of: To be associated with or represented by.
To keep the flag flying: To maintain spirits, a standard, or an effort, especially in difficult times.
To lower the flag: To show respect or mourning, often by lowering a national flag to half-mast.
A red flag: A warning sign or indication of danger or a problem.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of flag from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
