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tag1

Syllabification: (tag)
Pronunciation: /tag/

Translate tag | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of tag

noun

  • 1a label attached to someone or something for the purpose of identification or to give other information.
  • an electronic device that can be attached to someone or something for monitoring purposes, e.g., to deter shoplifters.
  • a nickname or description popularly given to someone or something.
  • a license plate of a motor vehicle.
  • informal a nickname or other identifying mark written as the signature of a graffiti artist:scrawled felt-tip tags on city walls
  • Computing a character or set of characters appended to or enclosing a piece of text or data in order to identify or categorize it.
  • 2a small piece or part that is attached to a main body.
  • a ragged lock of wool on a sheep.
  • the tip of an animal’s tail when it is distinctively colored.
  • a loose or spare end of something; a leftover.
  • a metal or plastic point at the end of a shoelace that stiffens it, making it easier to insert through an eyelet.
  • 3a frequently repeated quotation or stock phrase.
  • Theater a closing speech addressed to the audience.
  • a refrain or musical phrase in a song or piece of music.
  • Grammar a short phrase or clause added to an already complete sentence, as in I like it, I do. See also tag question.

verb (tags, tagging, tagged)

[with object]
  • 1attach a label to:the bears were tagged and released
  • attach an electronic tag to: (as noun tagging)laser tattooing is used in the tagging of cattle
  • [with object or complement] give a specified name or description to:he left because he didn’t want to be tagged as a soap star
  • informal (of a graffiti artist) write one’s nickname or mark on (a surface):storefronts are shuttered with metal roll-down barricades tagged with graffiti
  • Computing add a character or set of characters to (a piece of text or data) in order to identify or categorize it.
  • Biology & Chemistry label (something) with a radioactive isotope, fluorescent dye, or other marker:pieces of DNA tagged with radioactive particles
  • 2add to something, especially as an afterthought or with no real connection:she meant to tag her question on at the end of her remarks
  • [no object] follow or accompany someone, especially without invitation:that’ll teach you not to tag along where you’re not wanted
  • 3shear away ragged locks of wool from (sheep).

Origin:

late Middle English (denoting a narrow hanging section of a decoratively slashed garment): of unknown origin. The verb dates from the early 17th century

tag in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of tag in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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