flag

/'flæg/
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flag

A child waves a small flag during a parade.

Definition
  1. Noun:

    • A piece of fabric with a distinctive design, used as a symbol, signal, or decoration: A rectangular piece of cloth, often attached by one edge to a pole, representing a country, organization, or used for signaling.
    • A stone slab for paving: A flat, typically rectangular piece of stone used for paving floors or paths.
    • A plant with sword-shaped leaves: A plant, especially an iris, with long, straight, sword-shaped leaves.
    • A marker on a golf course: A small, often removable pole with a flag on top, used to mark the position of the hole on a putting green.
    • A list of staff in a publication: A printed listing in a newspaper or magazine giving details such as its name and editorial staff.
  2. Verb:

    • To become tired, weak, or less intense: To lose strength, energy, or vigor; to decline.
    • To mark or signal with a flag: To identify, label, or draw attention to something using a flag or a similar marker.
    • To decorate with flags: To adorn a place with flags for a celebration or event.
    • To droop or hang limply: To become limp or lose firmness, like a flag hanging down on a calm day.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:

    • The national flag was flying proudly over the capital.
    • The garden path was made of old stone flags.
    • The 18th hole flag was clearly visible on the green.
    • You can find the editor's name in the magazine's flag.
  • Verb:

    • His energy began to flag after the long hike.
    • Please flag any suspicious emails for review.
    • The streets were flagged to celebrate the national holiday.
    • The flowers flagged in the intense midday heat.
Advanced Usage
  • "to flag down": To signal for a vehicle to stop by waving.

    • She managed to flag down a taxi on the busy street.
  • "to flag up": To bring something to attention, especially a problem or important point.

    • The report flagged up several key areas for improvement.
  • "to show the flag": To make a symbolic appearance to demonstrate presence or support.

    • The CEO visited the regional office to show the flag.
Variants and Related Words
  • Flagstone (n): A flat stone slab used for paving.
  • Flagpole (n): A pole on which a flag is hoisted.
  • Flagging (adj/n): Becoming weaker or less vigorous (adj). The material used for paving with flagstones (n).
  • Flagellant (n): A person who whips themselves as a religious discipline. (Note: This is a distinct word derived from Latin 'whip', not directly from 'flag'.)
Synonyms
  • Noun (fabric): Banner, standard, ensign, pennant.
  • Verb (weaken): Fade, wane, ebb, diminish, droop.
  • Verb (mark): Label, tag, identify, highlight.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Flag down: To signal to stop.
    • He flagged down the bus before it left the stop.
  • Flag up: To highlight or bring to attention.
    • I need to flag up this error in the document.
  • Flag as: To categorize or mark something with a specific label.
    • The system can flag messages as spam.
Related Idioms
  • Fly the flag: To represent or show support for your country, organization, or a cause.
    • Even though they were the underdogs, they flew the flag for their small town.
  • Keep the flag flying: To continue to support something or maintain a tradition, especially in difficult circumstances.
    • After the founder retired, the remaining partners kept the flag flying for the firm's values.
  • A red flag: A warning sign or indicator of a problem.
    • His inconsistent answers were a red flag to the interviewer.
flag

A child waves a small flag during a parade.

Noun
  1. a conspicuously marked or shaped tail
  2. stratified stone that splits into pieces suitable as paving stones
  3. flagpole used to mark the position of the hole on a golf green
  4. a rectangular piece of fabric used as a signalling device
  5. plants with sword-shaped leaves and erect stalks bearing bright-colored flowers composed of three petals and three drooping sepals
  6. a listing printed in all issues of a newspaper or magazine (usually on the editorial page) that gives the name of the publication and the names of the editorial staff, etc.
  7. emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
Verb
  1. become less intense
  2. decorate with flags
    • the building was flagged for the holiday
  3. droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness
  4. provide with a flag
    • Flag this file so that I can recognize it immediately
  5. communicate or signal with a flag