Flag
/flæɡ/
nounverbA2
Definition
As a noun, a flag is a piece of cloth, usually with colors or symbols, that stands for a country, group, or idea. People use flags to show identity or send messages. As a verb, to flag means to mark something so others notice it, or to become tired or less strong.
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See It in Action
A cloth symbol representing a country, group, or idea (noun)
- •The American flag has red, white, and blue colors.
- •They raised the flag to start the race.
- •Each team has its own flag with special colors.
To mark or show something for attention; to slow down or become weak (verb)
- •Please flag the important emails so I can find them later.
- •His energy began to flag after running for an hour.
- •The teacher flagged the mistakes in my homework.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "flag" like "sign" (A1 word), but a flag is usually cloth and has colors or symbols to show something important.
- ✓Picture a small piece of cloth waving on a pole outside a school or a sports game.
- ✓It's the feeling when you see your country's flag and feel proud or when you raise your hand to get attention.
- ✓Sounds like "flag" → imagine a flat piece of cloth that "flags" or waves in the wind to say "look here!"
- ✓In stories, flags often show where a group belongs, like pirates with their black flag or teams with their colors.
- ✓NOT like "sign" (can be paper or board), a flag is cloth and moves in the wind.
- ✓NOT like "mark" (a small dot or line), a flag is bigger and more visible.
- ✓NOT like "drop" (to fall), to flag can mean to slow down or get tired, which is the opposite of strong or fast.
Try Other Words
- •Banner: a long piece of cloth with words or pictures (Use when the cloth has writing or is for advertising)
- •Signal: a sign or action to give information (Use when meaning to show or warn, especially with actions or lights)
- •Mark: to show or identify something (Use when you want to highlight or note something, often smaller or less visible)
- •Highlight: to make something stand out or be noticed (Use when focusing attention on important parts)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: The word "flag" is simple, with no prefix or suffix.
- •Etymology: From Old Norse "flagg," meaning a piece of cloth or banner.
- •Historical development: Used for centuries to mean a cloth symbol for groups or countries.
- •Modern usage: Used both as a noun for the cloth symbol and as a verb meaning to mark or to become tired or less strong.
- •Interesting fact: The verb form probably comes from the idea of a flag drooping or hanging down when weak or tired.
Reflect & Connect
•How does seeing a flag make you feel about the place or group it represents?
•Can you think of situations where "flag" as a verb helps people work better or notice important things?
Fill in the blanks
1.People raise a flag to ___ their country or team during special events.
2.When you ___ an email, it means you want to remember or find it easily later.
3.His attention started to ___ after many hours of work, showing he was tired.
4.A flag is different from a sign because it is usually made of ___ and waves in the wind.
5.The teacher ___ the wrong answers so the student could correct them.
6.When a player's energy ___, they may need to rest or slow down.
7.Flags often ___ groups or ideas by showing special colors or symbols.