flag
1 of 6noun (1)
ˈflag 
also ˈflāg
: any of various monocotyledonous plants with long ensiform leaves: such as
a
: iris
especially : a wild iris
b
: sweet flag
flag
2 of 6noun (2)
often attributive
1
: a usually rectangular piece of fabric of distinctive design that is used as a symbol (as of a nation), as a signaling device, or as a decoration
2
a
: the tail of some dogs (such as a setter or hound)
also : the long hair fringing a dog's tail
b
: the tail of a deer
3
a
: something used like a flag to signal or attract attention
b
: one of the cross strokes of a musical note less than a quarter note in value
4
: something represented by a flag: such as
a
: flagship
b
: an admiral functioning in his office of command
c
: nationality
especially : the nationality of registration of a ship or aircraft
flag
3 of 6verb (1)
flagged; flagging
transitive verb
1
: to signal with or as if with a flag
especially : to signal to stop
flagged the train
—often used with down 2
: to mark or identify with or as if with a flag
flagged potential problems in the proposal
3
: to call a penalty on : penalize
a lineman flagged for being offside
flag
4 of 6verb (2)
flagged; flagging
intransitive verb
1
: to hang loose without stiffness
2
a
: to become unsteady, feeble, or spiritless
b
: to decline in interest, attraction, or value
flagging stock prices
flag
5 of 6noun (3)
: a hard evenly stratified stone that splits into flat pieces suitable for paving
also : a piece of such stone
flag
6 of 6verb (3)
flagged; flagging
transitive verb
: to lay (something, such as a pavement) with flags (see flag entry 5)
Synonyms
Noun (2)
- banderole
- banderol
- banner
- colors
- ensign
- guidon
- jack
- pendant [chiefly British]
- pendent
- pennant
- pennon
- standard
- streamer
Verb (1)
- beckon
- gesture
- motion
- signal
- wave
Verb (2)
- droop
- hang
- loll
- sag
- swag
- wilt
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English flagge reed, rush
Noun (2)
probably akin to fag end of cloth — more at fag end
Verb (2)
probably from flag entry 2
Noun (3)
Middle English flagge turf, perhaps from Old Norse flaga slab; akin to Old English flōh chip
First Known Use
Noun (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (1)
1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (2)
1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (3)
1604, in the meaning defined above
Verb (3)
1615, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing flag
Kids Definition
flag 1 of 3
noun
ˈflag
: a piece of cloth with a special design or color that is used as a symbol (as of a nation) or as a signal
flag
2 of 3verb
flagged; flagging
: to signal to stop flag a taxi
flag
3 of 3verb
flagged; flagging
: to become weak
He tried to use the flagging power of his memory …
Lois Lowry, The Giver
Lois Lowry, The Giverflag 1 of 3
noun
1
as in banner
a piece of cloth with a special design that is used as an emblem or for signaling the flags of both countries were prominently displayed at the treaty signing Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- banner
- ensign
- pennant
- colors
- pennon
- insignia
- streamer
- guidon
- pendent
- banderole
- standard
- badge
- tricolor
- pendant
- jack
- banderol
- white flag
- signaler
- black flag
- bunting
- crest
- burgee
- semaphore
- gonfalon
- signaller
- union jack
- waft
- Jolly Roger
- coat of arms
2
as in signal
an object intended to give public notice or warning road crews using handheld stop signs as flags at both ends of the highway construction zone Synonyms & Similar Words
- signal
- red light
- tocsin
- knell
flag
2 of 3verb (1)
1
as in to droop
to be limp from lack of water or vigor flowers flagging in the summer heat Synonyms & Similar Words
- droop
- hang
- swag
- sag
- wilt
- loll
- fall
- collapse
- subside
- sink
- drop
- crumple
- slump
- yield
- slouch
- cave (in)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- stiffen
- rise
- straighten
- distend
- uncurl
- unbend
2
as in to fade
to lose bodily strength or vigor we flagged as we neared the end of the long mountain trail Synonyms & Similar Words
- fade
- sink
- go
- sag
- weaken
- droop
- fail
- decay
- wilt
- lag
- waste (away)
- wither
- languish
- wear out
- yield
- break down
- deteriorate
- run down
- rot
- emaciate
- degenerate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rally
- recover
- rebound
- recuperate
- gain
- convalesce
flag
3 of 3verb (2)
as in to wave
to direct or notify by a movement or gesture flagged the cars into the other parking lot Synonyms & Similar Words
- wave
- motion
- signal
- gesture
- sign
- nod
- beckon
- tell
- mime
- signalize
- pantomime
- inform
- gesticulate
- shrug
- flourish
- advise
- relate
- acquaint