tags
tags — verb
- tagspresent simple I / you / we / they
- tagses3rd person singular
- tagsing-ing form
- tagsedpast simple
1. to fasten a small piece of paper, plastic, or cloth carrying written information
to fasten a small piece of paper, plastic, or cloth carrying written information such as a price, name, or instruction onto an object.
Anjali tagged each piece of luggage with her name and address before the trip.
tag + object + with + noun phrase
The shop assistant tagged all the shirts with price labels before putting them on display.
Before the garage sale, Hiro tagged every item with a small sticker showing the price.
The museum staff tagged each painting with a small card giving the artist's name.
passive form: be tagged with
Hannah's mother asked her to tag the party favours with each guest's name.
- tag luggage
- tag an item
- tag with a price
- tag with a name
Grammar Patterns
tag + object + with + noun phrase
Usage Note
Frequently used with direct object (the item being tagged) followed by 'with' and a noun phrase describing the label. Common in retail, shipping, and event-organising contexts.
2. to add a piece of code or a keyword to digital information so that it can be sor
to add a piece of code or a keyword to digital information so that it can be sorted, found, or processed in a specific way by a computer.
The web developer tagged each heading so the website layout would display correctly.
tag + object + clause of purpose
Ananya tagged each email with the project name — 'Marketing', 'Research', or 'Invoices' — to find messages quickly.
tag + object + with + noun phrase (project label)
The programmer tagged the images with keywords so the search engine could find them.
tag + object + with + noun phrase
Cyrus tagged each paragraph in the blog post with a formatting code for the layout.
The music app automatically tags new songs with the artist's name and album title.
automated action: app + tag + object + with + noun phrase
- tag a document
- tag with keywords
- tag by category
- tagged automatically
Grammar Patterns
tag + object + with + noun phrase
be tagged + as + adjective
Usage Note
Subject is often a person working with data or an automated system. Object is the digital file or piece of content being marked. Common in web development, file management, and content-management systems.
3. to link another person's account to an image, message, or comment you publish on
to link another person's account to an image, message, or comment you publish on a social media site so that person receives a notification about the post.
Chiara tagged her brother in the holiday photo she posted on Instagram.
tag + person + in + noun phrase
When Eitan shared the article, he tagged three classmates who would find it useful.
Pim asked his friend not to tag him in any party pictures from the weekend.
negative request: ask not to be tagged
The photographer tagged the models and the makeup artist in the fashion show album.
Beatrix tagged her former colleagues in a LinkedIn post about the new job opening.
tag + person + in + noun phrase (professional context)
- tag someone in a photo
- tag someone in a post
- tagged on Facebook
- tagged on Instagram
- mention
slightly different; mentioning someone uses @username in text without necessarily linking to a photo; 'tag' often applies to identifying people in visual content
Grammar Patterns
tag + person + in + noun phrase (photo/comment/post)
tag + person + on + social media platform
Usage Note
Subject is the person who creates the post or photo. The person being tagged receives a notification. Common on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn. The location of the tag is introduced with 'in' (in a photo, in a comment) or 'on' (on Facebook, on Instagram).
Common Mistakes
4. to include a # symbol followed by a topic keyword in an online message, so the m
to include a # symbol followed by a topic keyword in an online message, so the message can be discovered by anyone searching for that topic.
Mei tagged her post about the concert with #livemusic to reach more fans online.
tag + object + with + #hashtag + clause of purpose
The charity tagged every fundraising tweet with #donate to spread the word quickly.
Many travellers tag their holiday photos with the name of the city they are visiting.
Hassan tagged his recipe video with #vegan to help people looking for plant-based meals.
tag + object + with + #hashtag
Before posting the announcement, Mark tagged it with the company's official campaign hashtag.
- tag a post
- tag with a hashtag
- tagged #something
- tagged for reach
- hashtag
used as a verb mainly in informal social media contexts; 'tag' is the shorter, more general form
Grammar Patterns
tag + object + with + hashtag
tag + as + hashtag
tag + with + #topic
Usage Note
Can be used transitively (tag the post with a hashtag) or intransitively (just 'tag with #topic'). The hashtag itself is typically introduced with 'with'. Distinguish from sense 3: sense 3 identifies a person (@mention), while sense 4 adds a topic marker (#hashtag).
5. in baseball, to call an opposing runner out by making contact with the ball you
in baseball, to call an opposing runner out by making contact with the ball you are holding, or with the mitt that contains the ball, while they are between bases.
The shortstop caught the ball and quickly tagged the runner sliding into second base.
tag + person (runner) + location phrase
The first baseman tagged the batter charging toward first base after the bunt down the line.
tag + person + location phrase (baseball context)
The catcher blocked home plate and tagged the runner trying to score from third.
The third baseman tagged the opposing player out at the bag in the ninth inning.
tag + person + out + at + base
The umpire raised his arm to signal that the fielder had successfully tagged the runner.
- tag a runner
- tagged out
- tag at home plate
- tagged at second base
- put out
more general baseball term; a runner can be put out in several ways, while tagging specifically involves physical touch
Grammar Patterns
tag + person (runner)
be tagged + out + at + base
Usage Note
Subject is a fielder (defensive player). Object is the runner. Common in baseball commentary and conversation. The result is expressed with 'out' as in 'tagged him out'.
6. to give someone or something a descriptive name, label, or epithet that places t
to give someone or something a descriptive name, label, or epithet that places them in a particular category — for example, tagging a musician as a prodigy, or a policy as radical.
The local newspaper tagged the young musician as the next big star of folk music.
tag + person + as + noun phrase
Critics have tagged the director's latest film as a bold new take on science fiction.
Quiet students are sometimes tagged as shy when they are simply focused on their work.
The media tagged the politician as a reformer after his first speech on education policy.
tag + person + as + noun (classification)
Historians have tagged that period as the golden age of Japanese cinema.
- tagged as a
- tagged as the
- tag someone as
- tag a period as
Grammar Patterns
tag + person/thing + as + noun phrase
tag + person/thing + as + adjective
Usage Note
Subject is typically a person, group, or institution that assigns a label. Object can be a person or thing. The label is introduced with 'as', followed by a noun phrase or adjective phrase. This sense often carries a subtle sense of oversimplification or stereotyping when applied to people.
Common Mistakes
tags — noun
1. A paper, plastic, or fabric marker fastened to an object to display its price, o
A paper, plastic, or fabric marker fastened to an object to display its price, owner, size, or other details.
Sora checked the price tag on the back of the winter coat before buying it.
price tag on [item]
The museum attached a small paper tag to each painting in the exhibition.
My suitcase still had the airline tag from my trip to Japan tied to the handle.
noun phrase: airline tag
Each shirt in the shop has a tag that shows the size and the washing instructions.
- price tag
- name tag
- gift tag
- luggage tag
- remove a tag
Grammar Patterns
tag + on + item
price tag / name tag / gift tag
Usage Note
Often combines with another noun to show the type of tag (price tag, name tag, gift tag).
Common Mistakes
2. A tiny, harmless skin growth that hangs loosely from the body, most often found
A tiny, harmless skin growth that hangs loosely from the body, most often found around the neck or armpits.
Mira went to the doctor to have a skin tag removed from her neck last week.
skin tag removed from [body part]
A dermatologist can safely remove skin tags during a short office visit.
The nurse explained that most skin tags do not need any medical treatment.
Tara noticed a small skin tag under her arm and decided to get it checked.
skin tag under [body part]
- skin tag
- remove a skin tag
- skin tag under the arm
Grammar Patterns
skin tag + on + body part
Usage Note
Skin tags are benign growths. The phrase 'skin tag' is the standard medical and everyday term.
Common Mistakes
3. A compact electronic device attached to someone or something to monitor their lo
A compact electronic device attached to someone or something to monitor their location or collect data about them.
The wildlife team put a tracking tag on the elephant to study its movements across the park.
tracking tag on [animal] to study [behaviour]
The shipping company uses electronic tags to keep track of every package in transit.
An electronic tag on the patient's wrist helps hospital staff identify them correctly.
electronic tag on [person]'s wrist
Stefan attached a GPS tag to his dog's collar so he would not lose her in the park.
- electronic tag
- GPS tag
- tracking tag
- put a tag on
- wear a tag
- tracker
more general term for any tracking device
- transmitter
sends out signals but may not store or process data
Grammar Patterns
electronic tag / GPS tag
tag + on + person/animal/object
Usage Note
Frequently paired with 'electronic', 'radio', or 'GPS' to specify the type. Also called an 'RFID tag' in industrial contexts.
4. A short code in a digital file that tells software how to display content or lin
A short code in a digital file that tells software how to display content or link to another page.
HTML tags tell the web browser how to display text and images on a page.
HTML tags + verb (tell/control/indicate)
Yasmin learned to use paragraph tags to structure her school project website.
A closing tag with a forward slash, such as </p> in HTML, marks the end of a paragraph in code.
concrete example: closing tag </p>
The programmer added image tags to make the blog post more interesting for readers.
- HTML tag
- opening tag
- closing tag
- image tag
- paragraph tag
Grammar Patterns
opening/closing tag
HTML tag + for + element
Usage Note
Must be distinguished from sense 1 (physical label). In computing, 'tag' refers to code markup (e.g. <p> for a paragraph), never a physical object.
Common Mistakes
5. A metal or plastic sign fixed to the front and back of a car, truck, or motorcyc
A metal or plastic sign fixed to the front and back of a car, truck, or motorcycle that shows its official identification number.
Brian's car has a license tag that starts with the letters ABC on it.
The police officer checked the tag on the front of the truck during the traffic stop.
tag on the front of [vehicle]
Diego went to the motor vehicle office to renew the tag for his motorcycle.
renew the tag for [vehicle]
California and Texas each issue a different design for their vehicle tags every few years.
subject: state names as concrete referents
- license tag
- vehicle tag
- renew a tag
- tag number
- license plate
more common term in American English than 'license tag'
- number plate
the standard term in British English
Grammar Patterns
vehicle tag
license tag + on + vehicle
Usage Note
This sense is primarily American English. In British English, 'number plate' or 'registration plate' is used instead.
Common Mistakes
6. A short phrase added to the end of a statement, such as 'isn't it?' or 'won't yo
A short phrase added to the end of a statement, such as 'isn't it?' or 'won't you?', used to check information or invite agreement from a listener.
"You're coming to the party tonight, aren't you?" Sayaka asked her roommate while tying her shoes.
positive statement + negative tag: 'you're… aren't you?'
Paloma looked at the grey sky and said to Karim, "It's going to rain, isn't it?"
"This blue one looks better, doesn't it?" Stephanie asked her mother, holding up two sweaters.
statement + negative tag with 'doesn't it'
"Karim passed his driving test, didn't he?" Ari asked his sister while scrolling through photos.
- tag question
- add a tag question
- positive statement + negative tag
- question tag
alternative name, same meaning
Grammar Patterns
tag question + at the end of + statement
auxiliary verb + pronoun + ?
Usage Note
Tag questions follow a strict grammar rule: if the statement is positive, the tag is negative, and vice versa. The auxiliary verb in the tag must match the one in the main sentence.
Common Mistakes
7. an outdoor children's game where one person runs after everybody else and tries
an outdoor children's game where one person runs after everybody else and tries to make physical contact; the person who gets touched must then chase the others.
Mizuki and her classmates played tag in the gym until the teacher called them back.
collocation: 'play tag'
Noa was chosen to be 'it' during a game of tag at recess.
Twelve children ran around the school playground playing tag for nearly an hour before the bell rang.
collocation: 'playing tag for [duration]'
Linh tagged Yumi on the arm at the slide, so Yumi had to chase others.
clause pattern: 'tag + person + on + body part'
- play tag
- a game of tag
- tag someone on the arm/back
- it
the role of the chaser in the game ('You're it!') — not a synonym for the game itself but the role inside it
Grammar Patterns
play + tag
Usage Note
This sense is uncountable (you play tag, not ✗ a tag). The verb tag is used inside the game: 'I tagged you!' means the touch happened.
Common Mistakes
8. a written name or symbol that a graffiti artist uses as a personal signature on
a written name or symbol that a graffiti artist uses as a personal signature on walls, trains, or other public surfaces.
The old railway bridge was covered with colourful tags from dozens of local street artists.
Tunde practised his tag on sheets of cardboard before taking it to any public wall.
collocation: 'practise + [possessive] + tag'
Police warned that spray-painting a tag on private buildings can lead to a fine.
The gallery show featured photos of famous graffiti tags from cities all over the world.
adjective pattern: 'famous graffiti tags'
- spray a tag
- leave a tag
- famous tag
- artist's tag
Grammar Patterns
[artist]'s + tag
leave + a/the + tag
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 7 (the game): a graffiti tag is a thing you draw, not an activity. It is a countable noun: 'He left his tag on the wall.'
Common Mistakes
9. a way of linking to another person's social media account by placing an @ sign a
a way of linking to another person's social media account by placing an @ sign and their username in a post, comment, or photo so their profile is connected.
Mira added a tag to a travel photo so Beatriz could see the picture.
collocation: 'add a tag to [something]'
Fatima tagged her cousin in a comment under the wedding photo, and he got a notification right away.
tag + person + in + noun phrase (comment under photo)
Tariq asked his roommate to remove the tag from the video he found embarrassing.
The restaurant's Instagram post included a tag linking to the chef's personal account.
passive structure: 'included a tag linking to…'
Vikram's notification list was full of tags from friends who shared old holiday photos.
- add a tag
- remove a tag
- tag someone in a photo
- get a tag
- mention
similar feature on platforms like X (Twitter); a tag is usually a link, a mention may just be a name without a link
Grammar Patterns
add a tag
tag + [@username]
Usage Note
Commonly used as a verb as well ('I'll tag you in the photo'). On most platforms you can tag people in photos, comments, or status updates. The tagged person gets a notification.
Common Mistakes
10. a short text label starting with the # character that people include in social m
a short text label starting with the # character that people include in social media posts so that messages about the same subject can be grouped together.
Tariq searched for the hashtag #TokyoFood and found dozens of restaurant recommendations.
pattern: 'search for the hashtag #[topic]'
Elena added #StreetFoodMexico to her taco photos and gained hundreds of new followers overnight.
add + #[specific hashtag] + result clause
The environmental group asked supporters to share pictures using the hashtag #CleanTheBeach.
pattern: 'using the hashtag #[phrase]'
Mizuki created a hashtag for her school art fair so students could post their work.
Trending hashtags like #WorldCupFinal and #EarthDay show what millions of people are discussing today.
collocation: 'trending hashtags like [example1] and [example2]'
- use a hashtag
- trending hashtag
- search for a hashtag
- create a hashtag
- hashtag
the full form; tag is the short form, more common in casual speech
Grammar Patterns
use + the hashtag + #[word]
search + for + a hashtag
Usage Note
A hashtag is sometimes shortened to just tag in informal social-media contexts. Distinguish from sense 9: a hashtag uses # and groups posts by topic; an @tag links to a user's profile.
Common Mistakes
11. in baseball, when a fielder touches a runner who is not standing on a base using
in baseball, when a fielder touches a runner who is not standing on a base using the hand that has the ball, which ends that runner's turn.
The catcher made a quick tag on the runner just before he reached home plate.
collocation: 'make a tag on [someone]'
Tunde practised making a clean tag every afternoon at baseball practice.
The umpire called the runner out after a tag on his back by the shortstop.
Vikram's quick tag at second base ended the inning and excited the crowd.
- make a tag
- clean tag
- tag out
- tag at the plate
- avoid the tag
- out
the result of a tag, not the action itself ('the runner was called out')
Grammar Patterns
make + a + tag
tag + at + [base]
Usage Note
Used both as a countable noun ('a clean tag') and an uncountable noun ('the runner was safe by a foot, avoiding the tag'). The verb form tag is more common in live commentary ('he tags him out').
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
Tag, label, sticker, ticket, and badge all refer to markers used for identification, but they differ in form and attachment. A tag is typically a piece of card or plastic tied or pinned to something (a price tag on a coat, a luggage tag on a suitcase). A label is usually glued or stuck directly onto the surface (a label on a can of food). A sticker is a small self-adhesive piece of paper or plastic that you press onto something (a sticker on a laptop). A ticket is a printed slip that gives the holder a right (a train ticket, a raffle ticket), though it can also be a tag-like marker in retail. A badge is worn by a person to show identity or membership (an ID badge, a police badge). The key difference: tag = hanging or attached marker; label = glued-on marker; sticker = small adhesive piece; ticket = proof of right; badge = worn by a person.
Common collocations
Nouns
- price tag
- name tag
- gift tag
- luggage tag
- skin tag
- electronic tag
- tracking tag
- ID tag
- HTML tag
Adverbs
- automatically tagged
- correctly tagged
- digitally tagged
- manually tagged
Phrases
- add a tag
- remove a tag
- put a tag on
- read a tag
- scan a tag
- wear a tag
- search for a tag
- tag someone in a post
Prepositions
- tag with
- tag as
- tag in
- tag on
Etymology
The word 'tag' comes from Middle English 'tagge', meaning a small hanging piece of cloth on a garment. This word may have come from Old Scandinavian (compare Old Norse 'tagg' for 'point' or 'spike'). The original meaning of a dangling cloth strip gradually broadened to any small identifying marker attached to an object. By the 1700s, the word was also being used for the children's chasing game — possibly from the idea of a light touch or from a separate word related to 'touch'. Modern meanings exploded in the 20th and 21st centuries: computer markup tags began with HTML in the 1990s; tracking tags came with GPS and RFID technology; and social-media tagging (both @mentions and #hashtags) emerged in the 2000s. The baseball sense (touching a runner with the ball) dates from the mid-1800s, roughly when the modern rules of the sport were codified.
First known use
14th century
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb (1)