Word: Label

Pronunciation

/ˈleɪbl/

Definitions

• Noun: A small piece of paper, fabric, plastic, or similar material attached to an object and giving information about it, often its name, manufacturer, instructions, or uses. For example: “The price tag was the only label on the product.”
  • Also, a descriptive category or term applied to a person or thing, especially one that suggests a stereotype. Example: “They refused to be confined by society’s labels.”
• Verb: To attach a label to something as a means of identification or to describe it. Example: “She carefully labeled each jar with the type of jam it contained.”
  • Also, to classify or identify someone or something according to a particular characteristic or category. Example: “The media tends to label certain politicians as ‘liberal’ or ‘conservative’.”

Phrases

• “Labeling system”: A method of organizing items using labels to denote categories, contents, or ownership.
• “Label maker”: A device used to create and affix labels.
• “To label someone/something as”: To categorize or identify someone or something in a specific way, which can sometimes carry a negative connotation if it involves stereotyping.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “The nutrition label on the cereal box showed the ingredients and calorie count.”
• Verb: “Each file needs to be correctly labeled before we put them in storage.”

Synonyms

• Tag
• Sticker
• Mark
• Designation
• Brand (in the context of identifying something)
• Category (as a verb)
• Identify
• Classify
• Categorize