Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense, plural bags, present participle bagging, past tense, past participle bagged
1. countable noun
A bag is a container made of thin paper or plastic, for example one that is used in shops to put things in that a customer has bought.
A bag of things is the amount of things contained in a bag.
2. countable noun
A bag is a strong container with one or two handles, used to carry things in.
She left the hotel carrying a shopping bag.
Synonyms: sack, container, poke [Scottish], sac More Synonyms of bag
A bag of things is the amount of things contained in a bag.
3. countable noun
A bag is the same as a handbag.
baggage
4. plural noun
If you have bags under your eyes, you have folds of skin there, usually because you have not had enoughsleep.
5. quantifier
If you say there is bags of something, you mean that there is a large amount of it. If you say that there arebagsof things, you mean that there are a large number of them.
[British, informal, emphasis]
...a hotel with bags of character. [+ of]
6. countable noun
If someone calls a woman an old bag or a stupid bag, they are insulting her.
[offensive, disapproval]
7. verb
If you bag something that a lot of people want, you get it for yourself before anyone else can get it.
[British, informal]
The smart ones will have already bagged their seats by placing cards on them. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: get, take, land [informal], score [slang] More Synonyms of bag
8. See also bum bag, carrier bag, mixed bag, shoulder-bag, sleeping bag, tea bag
9.
See in the bag
10.
See be left holding the bag
11.
See pack one's bags
12. to let the cat out of the bag
Phrasal verbs:
See bag up
More Synonyms of bag
bag in British English
(bæɡ)
noun
1.
a flexible container with an opening at one end
2. Also called: bagful
the contents of or amount contained in such a container
3.
any of various measures of quantity, such as a bag containing 1 hundredweight of coal
4.
a piece of portable luggage
5. short for handbag
6.
anything that hangs loosely, sags, or is shaped like a bag, such as a loose fold of skin under the eyes or the bulging part of a sail
7.
any pouch or sac forming part of the body of an animal, esp the udder of a cow
8. hunting
the quantity of quarry taken in a single hunting trip or by a single hunter
9. derogatory, slang
an ugly or bad-tempered woman (often in the phrase old bag)
10. slang
a measure of marijuana, heroin, etc, in folded paper
11. slang
a person's particular taste, field of skill, interest, activity, etc
blues is his bag
12. bag and baggage
13. a bag of bones
14. the bag of tricks
15. in the bag
verbWord forms: bags, bagging or bagged
16. (transitive)
to put into a bag
17.
to bulge or cause to bulge; swell
18. (transitive)
to capture or kill, as in hunting
19. (transitive)
to catch, seize, or steal
20. (intransitive)
to hang loosely; sag
21. (transitive)
to achieve or accomplish
she bagged seven birdies
22. (transitive) British informal
to reserve or secure the right to do or to have something
he bagged the best chair
23. (transitive) Australian slang
to criticize; disparage
See also bags
Word origin
C13: probably from Old Norse baggi; related to Old French bague bundle, pack, Medieval Latin baga chest, sack, Flemish bagge
bag in American English
(bæg)
noun
1.
a nonrigid container made of fabric, paper, leather, etc., with an opening at the top that can be closed; sack or pouch
2.
a piece of hand luggage; suitcase
3.
a woman's handbag or purse
4.
a.
a container for game
b.
the amount of game caught or killed
5.
a bagful
6.
anything shaped like a bag
7.
any thing or part shaped or bulging like a bag
bags under the eyes, bags at trouser knees
8.
an udder or similar pouchlike membrane or sac
9. [pl.]; British, Informal
trousers
10. US, Slang
one's special sphere of interest, milieu, talent, obsession, etc.
11. US, Slang
an unattractive woman
12. Baseball
a base
verb transitiveWord forms: bagged or ˈbagging
13.
to make bulge
14.
to enclose within a bag
15.
to seize; capture
16.
to kill in or as in hunting
17. Slang
to obtain or collect
18. Slang
to quit, forgo, or give up on
I bagged retail for a sales job
: also in the phrase bag it!
verb intransitive
19.
to swell like a full bag
20.
to hang loosely
Idioms:
bag and baggage
be left holding the bag
in the bag
Word origin
ME bagge < ON baggi; (sense 11) < baggage (sense 3a)
-bag in American English
(bæg)
Slang
a person characterized, usually figuratively, by (a specified negative quality)
More idioms containing
bag
let the cat out of the bag
something is not someone's bag
someone's bag of tricks
a mixed bag
leave someone holding the bag
in the bag
a bag of nerves
someone can't fight their way out of a paper bag
Examples of 'bag' in a sentence
bag
The points were already in the bag.
The Sun (2016)
You can see a bag hanging from the bottom.
The Sun (2016)
Put an ice cube in a plastic bag and hold it over the gum.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Stir in the chopped ginger and spoon into a large piping bag fitted with a plain nozzle.
The Sun (2016)
Simply shake the ingredients in the bag before putting it in the oven.
The Sun (2016)
The idea that people with bags are a nuisance in places where you should expect bags is crazy.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
After the first month of the season it certainly looked like being the case as he bagged four goals.
The Sun (2016)
One in three sharers said their biggest grievances were about paying for things such as bin bags and washing up liquid.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We may have enough in the bag already to qualify.
The Sun (2014)
It could have been so much easier if they had bagged that third goal.
The Sun (2014)
You have plasma bags hanging from coat hangers.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
We dropped our bags at our hotel and headed down to the river.
Bruce Feiler WALKING THE BIBLE (2001)
The plastic bottles were bagged and properly disposed of.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The container can be increased with a larger fluid bag that is strapped to the thigh.
The Sun (2016)
The winner is the person who bags the most in four hours.
The Sun (2011)
That is enough for golf bags and luggage cases.
The Sun (2011)
When the official opened the bag he said something under his breath and called another man over.
Bachmann, Susan (editor) & Barth, Melinda Between Worlds: A Reader, Rhetoric and Handbook (1995)
He used to help my girlfriend with carrying the shopping bags and he would stroke our cat.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We slept in sleeping bags on the floor.
Kiam, Victor Going For It!: How to Succeed As an Entrepreneur (1986)
You should have one bag for charity items and another for recycling.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Only a very small proportion is caused by bags.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Some hopefuls burst into tears as they were told to pack their bags.
The Sun (2012)
Bin bags are seen but not checked.
The Sun (2013)
They packed a bag and have already left for good.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He became the first substitute to bag three goals in a finals game.
The Sun (2014)
The student got the idea when she saw people put bags on their feet to stop them getting wet.
The Sun (2009)
What she offers for six lucky passengers is simple comfort, sumptuous meals and bags of character.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that 100,000 marine mammals have been killed by plastic bags.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Vanilla pods must be kept in a sealed bag or container - or in the sugar jar to make vanilla sugar.
Smith, Drew Food Watch (1994)
In other languages
bag
British English: bag /bæɡ/ NOUN
A bag is a container made of paper, plastic, or leather which you use to carry things.
...a clear polythene bag.
American English: bag
Arabic: حَقِيبَة
Brazilian Portuguese: bolsa
Chinese: 袋子
Croatian: torba
Czech: taška
Danish: taske
Dutch: zak tas
European Spanish: bolsa general
Finnish: laukku
French: sac
German: Tasche
Greek: τσάντα
Italian: borsa
Japanese: かばん
Korean: 가방
Norwegian: pose
Polish: torba
European Portuguese: saco
Romanian: pungă
Russian: сумка
Latin American Spanish: bolsa
Swedish: väska
Thai: กระเป๋า ถุง
Turkish: torba
Ukrainian: сумка
Vietnamese: túi
All related terms of 'bag'
bag up
If you bag up a quantity of something, you put it into bags.
air bag
a safety device in a car, consisting of a bag that inflates automatically in an accident and prevents the passengers from being thrown forwards
bin bag
a plastic bag used to line the inside of a rubbish bin
bum bag
A bum bag consists of a small bag attached to a belt which you wear round your waist . You use it to carry things such as money and keys .
hip bag
a bag worn around or attached to the hips
ice bag
a waterproof bag used as an ice pack
ink bag
a gland near the anus of an octopus or related mollusc that holds fluid ejected into the water for self-concealment
kit bag
a small bag or knapsack , as for a soldier
man-bag
a small bag , usually with a shoulder strap , carried by a man and designed to contain personal articles
red bag
(in Britain) a fabric bag for a barrister's robes , presented by a Queen's Counsel to a junior in appreciation of good work in a case
sag bag
a small cloth bag filled with dried beans and thrown in games
sea bag
a large, cylindrical canvas bag in which a sailor carries clothing and personal belongings
tea bag
Tea bags are small paper bags with tea leaves in them. You put them into hot water to make tea.
bag lady
A bag lady is a homeless woman who carries her possessions in shopping bags.
bag moth
a moth , the larvae of which develop in bags or cases
bag table
a sewing table or worktable having a suspended pouch or bag for holding needlework
beach bag
a large bag for carrying towels , swimsuits etc
bean bag
A bean bag is a large round cushion filled with tiny pieces of plastic or rubber . It takes the shape of your body when you sit on it.
belt bag
a bag that can be attached to a belt
black bag
a large sturdy black plastic or polythene bag used to put rubbish in
blue bag
a fabric bag for a barrister's robes
body bag
A body bag is a specially designed large plastic bag which is used to carry a dead body away , for example when someone has been killed in an accident or in battle.
book bag
a bag or satchel used esp. by a student for carrying books
brown bag
a bag made of brown paper , often used for carrying a packed lunch or alcohol
cool bag
an insulated container used to keep food cool on picnics , to carry frozen food, etc
dilly bag
a small bag , esp one made of plaited grass , etc, often used for carrying food
ditty bag
a sailor's cloth bag for personal belongings or tools. A box used for these purposes is termed a ditty box
doggy bag
a bag into which leftovers from a meal may be put and taken away , supposedly for the diner's dog
drip bag
a bag used for administering an intravenous solution to a patient
dust bag
the bag used in some models of vacuum cleaner for the collection of dust
feed bag
a bag filled with grain, fastened over a horse's muzzle for feeding
golf bag
a bag , usually made of canvas , for carrying golf clubs and golf balls
goody bag
A goody bag is a bag of little gifts, often given away by manufacturers in order to encourage people to try their products.
goon bag
the plastic bladder inside a box of (usually cheap ) wine
grab bag
A grab bag is a game in which you take a prize out of a container full of hidden prizes.
grow bag
a plastic bag containing a sufficient amount of a sterile growing medium and nutrients to enable a plant, such as a tomato or pepper , to be grown to full size in it, usually for one season only
jelly bag
a muslin bag used to strain off the juice from the fruit in making jelly (the preserve )
Jiffy bag
a thickly padded but light envelope in which articles such as books are placed for protection in the post
lucky bag
a bag of mixed sweets, intended for children; the bag is transparent , so that you do not know exactly what it contains
mesh bag
a bag made out of netted string
mixed bag
If you describe a situation or a group of things or people as a mixed bag , you mean that it contains some good items , features , or people and some bad ones.
moon bag
a small bag worn on a belt , round the waist
mummy bag
a sleeping bag with a hood
nose bag
→ feed bag
nunny bag
a small sealskin haversack , used chiefly in Newfoundland
paper bag
a carrier bag made from paper, for holding purchases , etc
poly bag
a polythene bag , esp one used to store or protect food or household articles
roll bag
a small zippered duffel bag for carrying school supplies , sports gear , or the like
show bag
a bag containing samples , promotional material, etc, given out at trade fairs and other such events
sick bag
a bag provided on an aircraft or ship as a receptacle for vomit
Chinese translation of 'bag'
bag
(bæɡ)
n(c)
(made of paper, plastic, with handle) 袋 (dài) (个(個), gè)
(= suitcase) 行李箱 (xínglixiāng) (个(個), gè)
(= handbag) 手袋 (shǒudài) (个(個), gè)
(pej, inf, = woman) 讨(討)厌(厭)的女人 (tǎoyàn de nǚrén)
vt
(Brit, inf, = claim) 抢(搶)占(佔) (qiǎngzhàn)
bags of (Brit, inf, = lots of) 许(許)多 (xǔduō)
to pack one's bags准(準)备(備)离(離)开(開) (zhǔnbèi líkāi)
to have bags under one's eyes有眼袋 (yǒu yǎndài)
it's in the bag (inf) 稳(穩)操胜(勝)券 (wěn cāo shèng quàn)
All related terms of 'bag'
tea bag
袋茶 dàichá [ 包 bāo ]
paper bag
纸(紙)制(製)购(購)物袋 zhǐzhì gòuwùdài [ 个(個) gè ]
carrier bag
购(購)物袋 gòuwùdài [ 个(個) gè ] [ 美 = shopping bag ]
garbage bag
垃圾袋 lājīdài [ 个(個) gè ]
plastic bag
塑料袋 sùliào dài [ 个(個) gè ]
toilet bag
洗漱包 xǐshùbāo [ 个(個) gè ]
overnight bag
短途旅行包 duǎntú lǚxíngbāo [ 个(個) gè ]
polythene bag
聚乙烯塑料袋 jùyǐxī sùliàodài [ 个(個) gè ]
shopping bag
购(購)物袋 gòuwùdài [ 个(個) gè ]
sleeping bag
睡袋 shuìdài [ 个(個) gè ]
it's in the bag
( inf ) 稳(穩)操胜(勝)券 wěn cāo shèng quàn
she had her bag stolen/her arm broken
她的包被偷了/她的胳膊断(斷)了 tā de bāo bèi tōu le/tā de gēbo duàn le
to take sth out of a box/bag etc
把某物从(從)盒子/包 等 里(裡)拿出来(來) bǎ mǒuwù cóng hézi/bāo děng li ná chūlái
1 (noun)
Definition
a flexible container with an opening at one end
She left the hotel carrying a shopping bag.
Synonyms
sack
a sack of potatoes
container
The paint is supplied in a clear, plastic container.
poke (Scottish)
sac
The lungs consist of millions of tiny air sacs.
receptacle
a receptacle for water
2 (noun)
Definition
a handbag
Meg drew a long, knitted scarf out of her leather bag.
Synonyms
handbag
the foldaway cup that fits into your handbag or pocket
purse (US)
She reached into her purse for her tissues.
shoulder bag
clutch bag
evening bag
3 (noun)
Definition
a piece of luggage
The airline lost my bag so I didn't have any training gear.
Synonyms
luggage
chest
At the very bottom of the chest were some carving tools.
container
trunk
He had left most of his records in a trunk in the attic.
suitcase
It did not take Andrew long to pack a suitcase.
baggage
excess baggage
crate
rucksack
a man carrying a brilliant blue rucksack
backpack
holdall
knapsack
coffret
overnighter
1 (verb)
Definition
to succeed in securing
The smart ones will have already bagged their seats.
Synonyms
get
The problem was how to get enough food.
take
He took the gold medal in the 100 metres.
land (informal)
She landed a place on the graduate training scheme.
score (slang)
They scored 282 runs in their first innings.
gain
The company didn't disclose how much it expects to gain from the deal.
pick up
secure
His achievements helped him to secure the job.
obtain
Evans was trying to obtain a false passport.
capture
acquire
She has acquired a 50% stake in the company.
get hold of
come by
procure
It was difficult to procure food and other daily necessitites.
make sure of
win possession of
2 (verb)
Definition
to capture or kill, as in hunting
Bag a rabbit for supper.
Synonyms
catch
Police say they are confident of catching the killer.
get
The police have got the killer.
kill
shoot
The police had orders to shoot anyone who attacked them.
capture
The police gave chase and captured him as he was trying to escape.
acquire
trap
The locals were trying to trap and kill the spiders.
snare
He'd snared a rabbit earlier in the day.
pick off
ensnare
The spider must wait for the prey to be ensnared in its web.
3 (verb)
Definition
to bulge or cause to bulge
Synonyms
bulge
He bulges out of his black T-shirt.
swell
The limbs swell to an enormous size.
balloon
The budget deficit has ballooned to $25 million.
Her weight ballooned from 8 stone to 12 stone.
sag
The shirt's cuffs won't sag and lose their shape after washing.
droop
a young man with a drooping moustache
subject word lists
See Types of bag
Additional synonyms
in the sense of acquire
Definition
to get or develop (something such as an object, trait, or ability)
She has acquired a 50% stake in the company.
Synonyms
get,
win,
buy,
receive,
land (informal),
score (slang),
gain,
achieve,
earn,
pick up,
bag,
secure,
collect,
gather,
realize,
obtain,
attain,
amass,
procure,
come into possession of
in the sense of baggage
Definition
suitcases packed for a journey
excess baggage
Synonyms
luggage,
things,
cases,
bags,
equipment,
gear,
trunks,
suitcases,
belongings,
paraphernalia,
accoutrements,
impedimenta
in the sense of balloon
Definition
to swell or increase rapidly in size
The budget deficit has ballooned to $25 million.Her weight ballooned from 8 stone to 12 stone.