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flag

1
[ flag ]
/ flæg /
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See synonyms for: flag / flagged / flagging / flags on Thesaurus.com

noun
verb (used with object), flagged, flag·ging.
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Idioms about flag

    strike the flag,
    1. to relinquish command, as of a ship.
    2. to submit or surrender: His financial situation is growing worse, but he's not ready to strike the flag.
    Also strike one's flag.

Origin of flag

1
First recorded in 1475–85; perhaps blend of flap (noun) and fag2 (noun) in obsolete sense “flap”

OTHER WORDS FROM flag

flagger, nounflagless, adjective

Other definitions for flag (2 of 4)

flag2
[ flag ]
/ flæg /

noun
any of various plants with long, sword-shaped leaves, as the sweet flag.
the long, slender leaf of such a plant or of a cereal.

Origin of flag

2
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English flagge

Other definitions for flag (3 of 4)

flag3
[ flag ]
/ flæg /

verb (used without object), flagged, flag·ging.
to fall off in vigor, energy, activity, interest, etc.: Public enthusiasm flagged when the team kept losing.
to hang loosely or limply; droop.

Origin of flag

3
First recorded in 1535–45; perhaps blend of of flap (verb) and fag2 (verb) in obsolete sense “to droop”. See flag1

Other definitions for flag (4 of 4)

flag4
[ flag ]
/ flæg /

noun
verb (used with object), flagged, flag·ging.
to pave with flagstones.

Origin of flag

4
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English flagge “piece of sod”; akin to Old Norse flaga “slab”

OTHER WORDS FROM flag

flagger, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use flag in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for flag (1 of 4)

flag1
/ (flæɡ) /

noun
verb flags, flagging or flagged (tr)

Derived forms of flag

flagger, nounflagless, adjective

Word Origin for flag

C16: of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for flag (2 of 4)

flag2
/ (flæɡ) /

verb flags, flagging or flagged (intr)
to hang down; become limp; droop
to decline in strength or vigour; become weak or tired

Word Origin for flag

C16: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for flag (3 of 4)

flag3
/ (flæɡ) /

noun
any of various plants that have long swordlike leaves, esp the iris Iris pseudacorus (yellow flag)
the leaf of any such plant
See also sweet flag

Word Origin for flag

C14: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Dutch flag, Danish flæg yellow iris

British Dictionary definitions for flag (4 of 4)

flag4
/ (flæɡ) /

noun
short for flagstone
verb flags, flagging or flagged
(tr) to furnish (a floor) with flagstones
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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