Bag — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb abbreviation /ˈbag/

Meaning & Definition of Bag

Bag (noun)

  1. a usually flexible container that may be closed for holding, storing, or carrying something
  2. purse; especially, handbag
  3. a bag for game

Bag (verb)

  1. to swell out, bulge
  2. to hang loosely
  3. to cause to swell

Bag (abbreviation)

  1. bachelor of agriculture

Bag (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a container made of a flexible material (as paper or plastic)

    "she carries her towel and other supplies to the beach in a bright, colorful bag slung over her arm"

    similar: poke (chiefly Southern & Midland), pouch, sack
    related: carryall, portmanteau, traveling bag, wallet, bundle, pack, package, packet, parcel, backpack, barracks bag, duffel bag, haversack, knapsack, rucksack, satchel, tote, handbag, pocketbook, purse, tote bag, ditty bag, flight bag, garment bag, kit bag, shopping bag, work bag

  2. a container for carrying money and small personal items

    "she keeps her keys, phone, and wallet each in separate compartments in her bag so that she always knows where they are"

    similar: handbag, pocketbook, purse
    related: clutch, clutch bag, minaudière, billfold, wallet, compact, vanity, poke, pouch, sack, shoulder bag

Bag (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to extend outward beyond a usual point

    "the shirt bagged at the waist"

    similar: balloon, beetle, belly, billow, bulge, bunch, jut, overhang, poke, pooch (chiefly dialect), pouch, pout, project, protrude, stand out, start, stick out, swell
    related: dome, blow up, inflate, dilate, distend, expand, mushroom, snowball, elongate, extend, lengthen, stretch
    near: compress, condense, constrict, contract, shrink

  2. to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly

    "bagged a deer while hunting last weekend"

    similar: capture, catch, collar, cop (slang), corral, get, glom, grab, grapple, hook, land, nab, nail, net, nobble (British slang), rap, seize, snag, snap (up), snare, snatch, trap, take hold (of)
    related: glove, halter, lasso, rope, apprehend, arrest, detain, bay, corner, clasp, clutch, fasten (on), fist, grasp, grip, hold, latch (on or onto), secure, rend, wrest, enmesh, ensnare, entangle, entrap, mesh, abduct, kidnap, spirit (away or off)
    opposite: miss
    near: discharge, free, liberate, release, drop, loosen, unhand

  3. to give up (a job or office)

    "if the supervisor says one more nasty thing to me, I'm going to bag this stupid job"

    similar: chuck, leave, quit, resign (from), retire (from), step aside (from), step down (from), give notice
    related: abandon, vacate, drop out (of), throw up
    opposite: keep, stay (at)
    near: hire (out), join, sign on (for)

  4. to obtain (as a goal) through effort

    "bagged a full fellowship at one of the nation's leading universities"

    similar: achieve, attain, chalk up, clock (up) (chiefly British), gain, hit, log, make, notch (up), rack up, ring up, score, win
    related: acquire, capture, carry, draw, garner, get, land, obtain, procure, realize, secure, amount (to), approach, equal, match, measure up (to), meet, rival, tie, touch, beat, excel, outdo, surpass, top
    near: fall short (of), miss, fail (at), lose

  5. to receive as return for effort

    "bagged an acting nomination for a truly inspired performance"

    similar: acquire, attain, bring in, capture, carry, come by, draw, earn, gain, garner, get, knock down, land, make, obtain, procure, pull down, realize, reap, secure, win
    related: clear, gross, net, accomplish, achieve, notch (up), score, accumulate, amass, rack up, catch, pick up, annex, occupy, take over, reacquire, reattain, recapture, regain, remake
    opposite: forfeit, lose
    near: accord, give, grant, pay, give up, hand over, part (with), relinquish, surrender, yield

Related Entry: Grab bag (noun)

Grab bag is a different word from Bag. The synonyms below are for grab bag, not for bag.

  1. an unorganized collection or mixture of various things

    "the festival featured a grab bag of independent films from widely disparate genres"

    similar: agglomerate, agglomeration, alphabet soup, assortment, botch, clutter, collage, crazy quilt, farrago, gallimaufry, gumbo, hash, hodgepodge, hotchpotch, jambalaya, jumble, jungle, litter, macédoine, medley, mélange, menagerie, miscellanea, miscellany, mishmash, mixed bag, montage, motley, muddle, olio, olla podrida, omnium-gatherum, pastiche, patchwork, patchwork quilt, potpourri, ragbag, ragout, rummage, salad, salmagundi, scramble, shuffle, smorgasbord, stew, tumble, variety, welter
    related: detritus, notions, oddments, odds and ends, sundries, accumulation, aggregate, aggregation, conglomerate, conglomeration, catchall, admixture, alloy, amalgam, blend, combination, commixture, composite, compound, fusion, intermixture, mix-up, bollix, chaos, confusion, disarrangement, disarray, disorder, dog's breakfast (chiefly British), mess, morass, shambles, imbroglio, knot, snarl, tangle

Related Entry: Kit bag (noun)

Kit bag is a different word from Bag. The synonyms below are for kit bag, not for bag.

  1. a soft-sided case designed for carrying belongings especially on the back

    "a soldier's kit bag"

    similar: backpack, knapsack, pack, packsack, rucksack
    related: haversack, carryall, carry-on, grip, handbag, holdall (chiefly British), portmanteau, suitcase, traveling bag, fanny pack, school bag, seabag, overnight bag, overnight case, weekend bag

Related Entry: Mixed bag (noun)

Mixed bag is a different word from Bag. The synonyms below are for mixed bag, not for bag.

  1. an unorganized collection or mixture of various things

    "a mixed bag of professional astronomers and amateur enthusiasts attended the conference"

    similar: agglomerate, agglomeration, alphabet soup, assortment, botch, clutter, collage, crazy quilt, farrago, gallimaufry, grab bag, gumbo, hash, hodgepodge, hotchpotch, jambalaya, jumble, jungle, litter, macédoine, medley, mélange, menagerie, miscellanea, miscellany, mishmash, montage, motley, muddle, olio, olla podrida, omnium-gatherum, pastiche, patchwork, patchwork quilt, potpourri, ragbag, ragout, rummage, salad, salmagundi, scramble, shuffle, smorgasbord, stew, tumble, variety, welter
    related: detritus, notions, oddments, odds and ends, sundries, accumulation, aggregate, aggregation, conglomerate, conglomeration, catchall, admixture, alloy, amalgam, blend, combination, commixture, composite, compound, fusion, intermixture, mix-up, bollix, chaos, confusion, disarrangement, disarray, disorder, dog's breakfast (chiefly British), mess, morass, shambles, imbroglio, knot, snarl, tangle

Related Entry: Traveling bag (noun)

Traveling bag is a different word from Bag. The synonyms below are for traveling bag, not for bag.

  1. a bag carried by hand and designed to hold a traveler's clothing and personal articles

    "traveling bags made of lightweight but tough fabrics"

    similar: carryall, carry-on, grip, handbag, holdall (chiefly British), portmanteau, suitcase, wallet
    related: overnight bag, weekend bag, weekender, cosmetic case, traveling case, carpetbag, duffel bag, kit, kit bag, backpack, haversack, knapsack, packsack, rucksack, attaché, attaché case, briefcase, valise, baggage, bags, luggage

Related Entry: In the bag (phrase)

In the bag is a different word from Bag. The synonyms below are for in the bag, not for bag.

  1. impossible to avoid or evade

    "After the last goal, they knew their victory was in the bag."

    similar: certain, ineluctable, ineludible, inescapable, inevitable, necessary, sure, unavoidable, unescapable, in the cards
    related: decided, definite, settled, likely, possible, probable, destined, fated, foreordained, predestined, predetermined, preordained, inexorable, relentless, unremitting, unstoppable
    opposite: avoidable, evadable, uncertain, unsure
    near: preventable, doubtful, dubious, questionable, shaky, unclear, undecided, unsettled, undependable, unreliable, improbable, unlikely

  2. being under the influence of alcohol

    "He called us at 2:00AM, in the bag and looking for a ride home."

    similar: besotted, blasted (slang), blind, blitzed (slang), blotto (slang), bombed, boozy, canned (slang), cockeyed, crocked, drunk, drunken, fried, gassed, hammered (slang), high, impaired, inebriate, inebriated, intoxicated, juiced (slang), lit, lit up, loaded (slang), looped, oiled (slang), pickled, pie-eyed, plastered, potted (slang), ripped (slang), sloshed (slang), smashed (slang), sottish, soused, sozzled, squiffed, stewed, stiff, stinking (slang), stoned, tanked (slang), tiddly (chiefly British), tight, tipsy, wasted (slang), wet, wiped out (slang), in one's cups, three sheets in the wind, under the influence, under the weather
    related: maudlin, beery, befuddled, bleary-eyed, crapulous, dopey, rocky, strung out, stupefied, debauched, dissipated, dissolute, alcoholic, bibulous, dipsomaniacal
    opposite: sober, straight
    near: abstemious, abstinent, dry, temperate, teetotal, clearheaded, cool, level, steady

Related Entry: Let the cat out of the bag (about) (phrase)

Let the cat out of the bag (about) is a different word from Bag. The synonyms below are for let the cat out of the bag (about), not for bag.

  1. to make known (as information previously kept secret)

    "They tried not to let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party."

    similar: bare, disclose, discover, divulge, expose, let on (about), reveal, spill, tell, unbosom, uncloak, uncover, unmask, unveil, bring to light, go public (with), spill the beans (about)
    related: confide, share, debunk, show up, unclothe, undrape, advertise, announce, blaze, bring out, broadcast, declare, placard, post, proclaim, promulgate, publicize, publish, sound, betray, blab, give away, leak, inform, squeal, talk, communicate, impart, relate, acknowledge, admit, avow, concede, confess, own, disinter, rake up, smoke out, unearth
    opposite: cloak, conceal, cover (up), enshroud, hide, mask, shroud, veil
    near: camouflage, disguise, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash, becloud, bedim, befog, cloud, darken, eclipse, obscure, overcast, overshadow, shade

Related Entry: Barracks bag (noun)

Barracks bag is a different word from Bag. The synonyms below are for barracks bag, not for bag.

  1. as in backpack, tote

    similar: backpack, duffel bag, haversack, knapsack, rucksack, satchel, tote, poke (chiefly Southern & Midland), pouch, sack, carryall, portmanteau, traveling bag, wallet, bundle, pack, package, packet, parcel, handbag, pocketbook, purse, tote bag, ditty bag, flight bag, garment bag, kit bag, shopping bag, work bag

Related Entry: Body bag (noun)

Body bag is a different word from Bag. The synonyms below are for body bag, not for bag.

  1. as in box, coffin

    similar: bier, box, casket, coffin, pall, sarcophagus, charnel, crypt, sepulchre, sepulture, tomb, vault, urn

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Bag

The most common words with a similar meaning to Bag:

Chiefly Southern & Midland: poke
Chiefly dialect: pooch
Slang: cop
British slang: nobble
Chiefly British: clock (up)
pouch, sack, handbag, pocketbook, purse, balloon, beetle, belly, billow, bulge, bunch, jut, overhang, pout, project, protrude, stand out, start, stick out, swell, capture, catch, collar, corral, get, glom, grab, grapple, hook, land, nab, nail, net, rap, seize, snag, snap (up), snare, snatch, trap

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Bag

Words with the opposite meaning of Bag:

miss, keep, stay (at), forfeit, lose

Related Words for Bag

carryall, portmanteau, traveling bag, wallet, bundle, pack, package, packet, parcel, backpack, barracks bag, duffel bag, haversack, knapsack, rucksack, satchel, tote, tote bag, ditty bag, flight bag, garment bag, kit bag, shopping bag, work bag, clutch, clutch bag, minaudière, billfold, compact, vanity

Near Antonyms of Bag

compress, condense, constrict, contract, shrink, discharge, free, liberate, release, drop, loosen, unhand, hire (out), join, sign on (for), fall short (of), fail (at), accord, give, grant, pay, give up, hand over, part (with), relinquish, surrender, yield

Word Forms of Bag

Inflections: bagged, bagging

Derived words: bagger (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Bag

Middle English bagge, from Old Norse baggi

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Bag

Words & Phrases Containing Bag

bag lady, bag lunch, bag of waters, bag and baggage, bag of bones, barf bag, barracks bag

Frequently Asked Questions about Bag

What does "Bag" mean?

"Bag" means a usually flexible container that may be closed for holding, storing, or carrying something. As an a noun, a verb and an abbreviation, it is defined as: a usually flexible container that may be closed for holding, storing, or carrying something. It has 7 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Bag"?

Other words for "Bag" include poke, pouch, sack, handbag, pocketbook, purse, balloon and beetle. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Bag" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Bag"?

There are 181 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Bag". Common alternatives include poke, pouch, sack, handbag, pocketbook, purse, balloon, beetle, belly and billow.

What is the opposite of "Bag"?

Antonyms of "Bag" include miss, keep, stay (at), forfeit and lose. Near antonyms include compress, condense, constrict and contract.

How do you use "Bag" in a sentence?

Examples of "Bag" in a sentence: "she carries her towel and other supplies to the beach in a bright, colorful bag slung over her arm"; "she keeps her keys, phone, and wallet each in separate compartments in her bag so that she always knows where they are"; "the shirt bagged at the waist".

Is "Bag" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Bag" can be used as a noun, a verb and an abbreviation, depending on the context.

Is "Bag" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Bag" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Bag"?

"Bag" is pronounced /ˈbag/.