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Added 7 October 2026

flag

/flæɡ/ noun

In Latin: vexillum Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about flag at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A piece of cloth, often decorated with an emblem, used as a visual signal or symbol.
The design that could be placed on a flag, typically a rectangular graphic that is used to represent an entity (like a country, organisation or group of people) or an idea.
The flag of France has three vertical stripes.
A flag flown by a ship to show the presence on board of the admiral; the admiral himself, or his flagship.

verb

To furnish or deck out with flags.
To mark with a flag, especially to indicate the importance of something.
To signal to, especially to stop a passing vehicle etc.
Please flag down a taxi for me.

verb

To weaken, become feeble.
His strength flagged toward the end of the race.
To hang loose without stiffness; to bend down, as flexible bodies; to be loose, yielding, limp.
To let droop; to suffer to fall, or let fall, into feebleness.

noun

Any of various plants with sword-shaped leaves, especially irises; specifically, Iris pseudacorus.

Origin

From Middle English flag, flagge (“flag”), further etymology uncertain. Perhaps from or related to early Middle English flage (name for a baby's garment) and Old English flagg, flacg (“cataplasm, poultice, plaster”). Or, perhaps ultimately imitative, or otherwise drawn from Proto-Germanic *flaką (“something flat”), from Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂- (“flat, broad, plain”), referring to the shape. Germanic cognates include Saterland Frisian Flaage (“flag”), West Frisian flagge (“flag”), Dutch vlag (“flag”), German Flagge (“flag”), Swedish flagga (“flag”), Danish flag (“flag, ship's flag”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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