tag
tag — verb
1. to fasten a small piece of paper, plastic, or cloth onto an object, usually with
to fasten a small piece of paper, plastic, or cloth onto an object, usually with information such as a price, name, or instructions written on it.
The assistant tagged each item with a price sticker before putting it on the shelf.
passive-like transitive: tag + noun + with + noun
Noa tagged the moving boxes with orange labels so the team could spot them easily.
Each plant in the garden centre was tagged with its name and watering instructions.
passive: be tagged with + noun
Beatrix tagged her suitcase with a red ribbon to pick it out from the others.
The librarian tagged the new books with barcode stickers before placing them on the shelves.
- tag with a price
- tag with a label
- tag luggage
- tag items
- tagged for sale
- remove
to take a tag off
Grammar Patterns
tag + noun (object tagged)
be tagged with + noun
Usage Note
Frequently passive when describing the state of an item ('The jacket was tagged at $49.99'). Use the active form when describing the action of attaching the label.
Common Mistakes
2. to attach a searchable keyword or code to a digital file or piece of content, al
to attach a searchable keyword or code to a digital file or piece of content, allowing a computer system to sort the item according to a chosen category.
The camera software tags each photo with the date and location where it was taken.
tag + noun + with + noun (computing metadata)
Hana tagged the important paragraphs in the report so her manager could find them quickly.
Emails from unknown senders are automatically tagged as potential spam by the system.
passive: be tagged as + noun
Rafael tagged the key scenes in the video for the team to review later.
- tag files
- tag photos
- tag emails
- tag with keywords
- tag as important
- tagged data
Grammar Patterns
tag + noun (data/file)
tag + noun + as + noun/adjective
be tagged with + noun
Usage Note
Common in passive constructions when describing the classification of data. The object is typically digital content (files, emails, photos, documents).
Common Mistakes
3. on social media, to create a clickable reference to another user's account withi
on social media, to create a clickable reference to another user's account within a picture, message, or update, which sends them a notification about the content.
Christopher tagged Anjali in the holiday photo they took together at the beach.
tag + person + in + noun (photo)
Defne tagged her brother in the comment so he would see the concert announcement.
Users can tag up to ten people in a single post on social media platforms.
tag + number + people + in + noun
Eshe tagged the restaurant's official account in her food review on Facebook.
- tag someone in a photo
- tag someone in a post
- tag an account
- tag a friend
- get tagged
- mention
broader — 'mention' can be typing a name without creating a link; 'tag' always creates a clickable notification link.
- untag
to remove a tag from a photo or post
Grammar Patterns
tag + noun (person/profile)
tag + noun + in + noun (photo/post/comment)
Usage Note
The subject is the person making the post; the object is the person or account being linked. Typically used with 'in' to specify the content (photo, comment, post).
Common Mistakes
4. to include a keyword prefixed by the # symbol in an online message, so that the
to include a keyword prefixed by the # symbol in an online message, so that the post becomes part of a larger discussion about that topic.
Otis tagged his travel post with #BackpackingEurope to reach a wider audience.
tag + post + with + #hashtag
Sirin tagged all her cooking photos with #VeganRecipes so others could find them easily.
When Gabriel posted about the charity event, he tagged it with #Fundraiser2025.
Élise tags her book reviews with a genre name as a hashtag for visibility.
- tag a post
- tag with a hashtag
- tag a photo
- tag a message
- hashtag
can also be used as a verb ('hashtag your post'); 'tag' is shorter and more common in everyday speech.
Grammar Patterns
tag + noun (post/message) + with + noun (hashtag)
tag + noun (post/message) + #hashtag
Usage Note
The object can be the post itself ('tag your post with #summer') or the hashtag can be implied from context. The hashtag always includes the # symbol and has no spaces between words.
Common Mistakes
5. in baseball or softball, to end a base runner's turn by making contact with that
in baseball or softball, to end a base runner's turn by making contact with that runner using the ball itself or the glove that contains it.
The catcher tagged the runner out just before he reached home plate.
tag + runner + out
Noa tagged the batter as he tried to steal second base in the ninth inning.
The shortstop caught the ball and quickly tagged the player sliding into third.
Rafael practiced his technique for tagging runners during the team's morning training session.
- tag someone out
- tag a runner
- tag at the plate
- tag out a player
- put out
the official baseball term for ending a player's turn; 'tag' is the specific action of touching the runner.
Grammar Patterns
tag + noun (runner/base)
Usage Note
Almost always followed by 'out' to indicate the runner is eliminated. Distinct from a simple touch — the fielder must be holding the ball. Only relevant in baseball and softball contexts.
Common Mistakes
6. to describe someone or something with a particular name or label, often in a way
to describe someone or something with a particular name or label, often in a way that oversimplifies or unfairly limits how they are seen.
The media tagged the young pianist as the next star after her first concert.
tag + person + as + noun (describing role)
Beatrix hated being tagged as shy just because she preferred reading to loud parties.
passive: be tagged as + adjective
Critics tagged the film as a modern classic even before it won any awards.
Historians have tagged that decade as the golden age of Taiwanese cinema.
The school newspaper tagged the new coach as the most creative teacher on campus.
- tag someone as
- tag something as
- tagged as a ...
- get tagged
- tagged by critics
Grammar Patterns
tag + noun + as + noun/adjective
be tagged + noun
Usage Note
Often carries a slightly negative connotation of putting someone in a category without full consideration. Commonly used in passive voice ('X was tagged as Y'). The label often follows 'as'.
Common Mistakes
7. to follow a person or animal very closely and without stopping, especially becau
to follow a person or animal very closely and without stopping, especially because you want to catch them or do not want to lose sight of them
A stray dog tagged Cyrus and his sister all the way home from the park.
tag + noun phrase + all the way
The young man was tagged by two police officers near the train station.
passive: be tagged by [someone]
During the festival, Wren tagged her older cousin everywhere he went.
A stray cat tags the same fish seller at the market every morning.
present simple for repeated following
Olivia tagged her older brother through the museum so she would not get lost.
- tag someone home
- tag someone through [place]
- tag someone everywhere
- tag someone all the way
Grammar Patterns
tag + noun phrase
Usage Note
Often used in physical movement contexts where the follower stays within sight or arm's reach of the person or animal they are following. Can imply the follower has not been invited.
Common Mistakes
tag — noun
1. a thin strip or card made of paper, plastic, or fabric that is fixed to an item
a thin strip or card made of paper, plastic, or fabric that is fixed to an item to show details such as its price, size, or owner
Kabir checked the tag on his new shirt to find the washing instructions.
collocation: tag on [garment]
The museum placed a small tag beside each painting with the artist's name.
collocation: place a tag beside [item]
Quan removed the price tag from the vase before wrapping it as a gift.
collocation: price tag
All the boxes in the warehouse had plastic tags showing their contents and destination.
Each suitcase had a paper tag with the owner's name and flight number on it.
- price tag
- name tag
- gift tag
- luggage tag
- remove a tag
- check the tag
Grammar Patterns
tag + of [material]
tag + with [information]
Usage Note
Commonly appears in compound nouns: price tag, name tag, gift tag, luggage tag.
Common Mistakes
2. a small, harmless piece of extra skin that grows on the body, usually hanging by
a small, harmless piece of extra skin that grows on the body, usually hanging by a thin stem and often found on the neck, eyelids, or armpits
The doctor said the small tag on Anya's neck was harmless and needed no removal.
collocation: tag on [body part]
A dermatologist can remove a skin tag by freezing it or cutting it off.
collocation: remove a skin tag
Many people develop skin tags under their arms as they grow older.
Élise saw a tiny tag of skin on her eyelid and asked the nurse about it.
- skin tag
- remove a tag
- tag on the neck
- tag on the eyelid
- acrochordon
the formal medical term, used by doctors
- fibroepithelial polyp
an even more technical clinical term
Grammar Patterns
skin tag + on [body part]
Usage Note
The formal medical term is acrochordon. Skin tags are non-cancerous and very common, especially in older adults.
Common Mistakes
3. a compact transmitter fixed to someone or something that broadcasts signals, let
a compact transmitter fixed to someone or something that broadcasts signals, letting people follow its movements or record information about it
The wildlife team attached a tracking tag to the wolf's collar to study its movements.
collocation: attach a tracking tag to [animal]
Kenji placed a GPS tag inside his backpack in case it got lost on the trip.
collocation: GPS tag
The police found the stolen bicycle because a hidden tag was sending out a signal.
passive: hidden tag was sending out a signal
Scientists use electronic tags on sea turtles to follow their migration routes across the ocean.
- GPS tag
- tracking tag
- electronic tag
- attach a tag
- tag on [animal]
- transmitter
emphasizes the signal-sending function rather than the attachment method
- tracker
a more general term, including app-based tracking without a physical device
Grammar Patterns
tag + on [person/animal/object]
GPS tag
tracking tag
Usage Note
Often modified by a technology type: GPS tag, RFID tag, radio tag, electronic tag.
Common Mistakes
4. a code or symbol that is written around a section of digital content to indicate
a code or symbol that is written around a section of digital content to indicate its type or to tell a program how to process or display that content
To make text bold on a web page, put it inside a pair of strong tags.
pattern: pair of [tag name] tags
The web designer used the wrong heading tag, so the page looked odd on mobile phones.
collocation: heading tag
Each image on a website sits inside an img tag that tells the browser where to find the picture.
A closing tag starts with a slash, but an opening tag does not.
contrast: opening tag vs. closing tag
Sivan learned to use the paragraph tag to split her blog text into readable sections.
- opening tag
- closing tag
- HTML tag
- XML tag
- heading tag
- paragraph tag
Grammar Patterns
[opening/closing] tag
tag + for [element]
Usage Note
Most commonly associated with HTML and XML. Tags usually come in opening/closing pairs, but some elements (e.g., img, br) use a self-closing format.
Common Mistakes
5. a metal or plastic plate mounted on a motor vehicle, displaying the unique combi
a metal or plastic plate mounted on a motor vehicle, displaying the unique combination of letters and digits that the government has assigned to it
The police officer wrote down the tag number of the speeding car.
collocation: tag number
Esteban's car had an expired tag because he forgot to renew the registration.
collocation: expired tag
The security camera captured the truck's tag at the entrance gate.
In some American states, vehicles need both a front and a rear tag.
- tag number
- expired tag
- rear tag
- front tag
- renew a tag
- license plate
the standard term in American English, more formal than 'tag'
- number plate
the standard term in British English
- registration plate
formal term used in official contexts
Grammar Patterns
tag + on [vehicle]
tag + number
Usage Note
This sense is primarily used in American English. In British English, the more common term is 'number plate' or 'registration plate'. The 'tag' may also refer to a sticker placed on the windshield showing the registration year.
Common Mistakes
6. a short phrase added to the end of a sentence, such as "isn't it?" or "won't you
a short phrase added to the end of a sentence, such as "isn't it?" or "won't you?", used to turn a statement into a question or to ask the listener to agree
The tag "aren't you?" turns "You're coming" into a question that expects confirmation.
pattern: statement + tag for confirmation
In English, a negative statement is usually followed by a positive question tag.
grammar rule: negative statement + positive tag
Defne found the tag "won't she?" confusing because her language does not use this structure.
The teacher explained that "isn't it?" is the most common question tag in British speech.
- question tag
- tag question
- positive tag
- negative tag
- tag + pronoun
- question tag
the full formal name for this grammatical structure
- tag question
an alternative word order for the same term
Grammar Patterns
positive statement + negative tag
negative statement + positive tag
Usage Note
The form of the tag uses the auxiliary verb from the main sentence plus the opposite polarity. If the sentence has no auxiliary, use 'do', 'does', or 'did'.
Common Mistakes
7. a chasing game where one person runs behind the other players and tries to tap o
a chasing game where one person runs behind the other players and tries to tap one of them; that person then takes over as the pursuer.
The children in the neighborhood played tag in the park every evening.
collocation: play tag
Aoi was such a fast runner that she was never caught during tag.
Saira's little brother always asked to join their game of tag.
collocation: game of tag
The schoolyard echoed with laughter during their daily rounds of tag.
- play tag
- game of tag
- round of tag
- chase
simpler word for the same activity, less common as a noun for the game
Grammar Patterns
play + tag
game of + tag
Usage Note
Uncountable — you cannot say 'a tag' to mean the game. Use 'play tag' or 'a game of tag'.
Common Mistakes
8. a distinctive symbol, nickname, or design painted quickly by a graffiti artist a
a distinctive symbol, nickname, or design painted quickly by a graffiti artist as a personal mark on a publicly visible wall or surface.
The artist left his tag on the wall next to the train station.
Nkechi could recognize different graffiti tags by their style and colour.
countable noun: different graffiti tags
The police warned the teenager about painting his tag on public property.
Aylin admired the colorful tags that covered the old warehouse walls.
- paint a tag
- leave a tag
- tag on a wall
- signature
more general term; tag specifically implies graffiti culture
- graffiti mark
descriptive but less concise
Grammar Patterns
tag + on [surface]
paint + tag
Usage Note
Distinguish from noun/1 (a physical label) — a graffiti tag is painted as an artistic signature, not attached as a sticker or tag.
9. a link on a social media platform that connects a photo, comment, or post to ano
a link on a social media platform that connects a photo, comment, or post to another user's profile, created by placing the @ sign directly before their username.
James added a tag to connect his friend to the holiday photo.
collocation: add a tag
Nadia received a tag in a comment about the school reunion.
Gabriela turned off the tag notification because it was distracting.
collocation: tag notification
Sophia checked the tag to see who had mentioned her in the post.
- add a tag
- tag notification
- remove a tag
- tag in a post
- mention
more general; a tag is a specific type of mention with a clickable link
Grammar Patterns
tag + in [post/photo/comment]
add + tag
tag + links to [profile]
Usage Note
Commonly used with 'add', 'receive', 'remove'. The @ symbol is part of the tag format but not always spoken aloud.
Common Mistakes
10. a keyword or short expression that begins with the # symbol and helps sort socia
a keyword or short expression that begins with the # symbol and helps sort social media posts by topic, making related content easier to discover.
Nkechi added the tag #TravelDiary to her vacation photos online.
pattern: # + tag for topic grouping
The tag #ClimateAction helped people find related news articles.
Asher used the tag #ThrowbackThursday for his old school picture.
Posts with the tag #BookClub received hundreds of comments from readers.
- use a tag
- follow a tag
- # + tag
- tag on Instagram
- hashtag
full and more formal term; 'tag' is the short form
Grammar Patterns
# + tag
use + tag
tag + on [platform]
Usage Note
The full form is 'hashtag', but many people shorten it to 'tag' in casual conversation on social media.
Common Mistakes
11. in baseball, the action of touching a runner with the ball or with the hand or g
in baseball, the action of touching a runner with the ball or with the hand or glove holding the ball while the runner is not on a base, which ends that runner's turn.
The catcher made a quick tag to stop the runner from scoring.
collocation: make a tag
Élise watched the second baseman apply the tag just in time.
collocation: apply a tag
The umpire signaled that the tag had missed the runner's foot.
Nora practiced her tag technique during baseball training every week.
- make a tag
- apply a tag
- tag on a runner
- tag out
- out
the result of a tag, not the action itself
Grammar Patterns
make + tag
apply + tag
tag + on [runner]
Usage Note
Primarily used in American English baseball contexts. The verb form 'tag' (to tag a runner) is also very common in the sport.
Common Mistakes
12. a word or short phrase used to describe or classify a person, group, or thing in
a word or short phrase used to describe or classify a person, group, or thing in a particular way.
The 'troublemaker' tag followed him throughout his school years.
countable noun with descriptive quotation
Saira rejected the tag of 'shy' that her classmates gave her.
Some political tags can oversimplify a person's views on complex issues.
Aoi preferred the tag 'quiet leader' over 'bossy' for herself.
pattern: tag + [adjective] for categorization
- tag of [description]
- wear a tag
- reject a tag
- stuck with a tag
Grammar Patterns
tag + of [description]
tag + for [person/thing]
wear/reject + tag
Usage Note
Often has a negative connotation when used as a stereotype or oversimplification. Distinguish from noun/1 (physical label) — this sense describes a figurative label or category.
Common Mistakes
13. a short, well-known phrase or line taken from a book, speech, or other source, u
a short, well-known phrase or line taken from a book, speech, or other source, used by a speaker to make a point more powerful or memorable.
During her speech, Sade quoted a famous tag from Maya Angelou's poetry.
tag + quoted + from + source
Darius ended every campaign speech with the same tag from a wartime leader.
The senator's favourite tag, 'government of the people,' comes from the Gettysburg Address.
tag used in political speech; comes from + source
Mayumi wrote the Latin tag 'carpe diem' on the first page of her journal.
foreign language tag; Latin tag + write + in journal
Years later, Felix could still recall the tag from that old novel.
- classical tag
- Latin tag
- favourite tag
- famous tag
- quote a tag
- use a tag
- recall a tag
- tag from a poem
- tag from a speech
- quotation
more general, does not imply a memorable or rhetorical purpose
- catchphrase
more closely tied to a specific person, character, or brand
- motto
carries a sense of guiding principle rather than a one-time rhetorical effect
Grammar Patterns
tag + from + source (e.g. a tag from Shakespeare)
Usage Note
Common with verbs such as quote, use, or recall; the source of the tag is typically introduced by from.
tag — abbreviation
1. a short written form of the military title 'the adjutant general,' referring to
a short written form of the military title 'the adjutant general,' referring to a senior officer who handles personnel records, administrative orders, and official correspondence within an army division or larger unit.
Colonel Hugo received a memo from TAG requesting updated personnel files.
abbreviation in official correspondence
Promotion orders for Diya require approval from TAG before publication.
collocation with 'approval from TAG'
The base commander reported directly to TAG during the annual review.
All leave requests for the battalion must be forwarded through TAG for final authorization.
collocation: forwarded through TAG
Kemi's assignment to the new unit was confirmed in a letter signed by TAG.
- approval from TAG
- forwarded through TAG
- memo from TAG
- signed by TAG
- reported to TAG
Grammar Patterns
TAG as written abbreviation for 'the adjutant general'
Usage Note
Commonly capitalized as TAG in formal military documents. The abbreviation is primarily used within U.S. Army contexts and is rarely encountered outside military or veterans' administrative settings.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- taggedadjectiveB1
- taggingnounB1
- taggernounB2
- untagverbB1
- retagverbC1
- taglessadjectiveC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/3
On social media, to "tag" someone means to create a clickable link to their profile within a post, photo, or comment, which sends them a notification. "Mention" is broader — you can mention someone by typing their name without creating a link, though on many platforms "@mention" (a mention that includes the @ symbol) automatically becomes a link. "Reference" is even more general and does not involve a notification system — you simply talk about someone. "Notify" describes the system's action (the platform notifies the user), not the user's action of including someone. For example: "I tagged Anjali in the photo" (she received a notification and her name is clickable), vs. "I mentioned your idea in my post" (no link or notification intended), vs. "The platform will notify the person you tagged."
Common collocations
Etymology
The origin of "tag" is not certain. It may come from an old Scandinavian word meaning a sharp point or tip. In Middle English (around 1400), it first appeared as a word for the metal tip at the end of a shoelace or string. By the 1600s, it had come to mean a small label or marker attached to something. The children's game "tag" appeared in the 1800s and may come from the sense of touching someone. The baseball meaning started in the late 1800s, and the computing and social media uses developed in the late 1900s and early 2000s.