labels - Master This Word
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labels Word Meanings
- a piece of paper with information
- to identify or describe something
- a category or type
labels Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
labels Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈleɪ.bəl/
US
/ˈleɪ.bəl/
labels Word Etymology
la- = to bind, bel = paper; historical origin: Latin → Old French → English; imagine a tag on a gift binding it with a name.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I pick up a strip of label paper and move my hand to peel one off. I place it on a notebook, press, then adjust the corner until it sits straight. I feel the effort tighten as I turn the notebook in my hands, keeping the edge neat. Soon this little tag becomes a cue for what’s inside, and I keep labeling more things, one simple move at a time.
Real Context
Label is a versatile English word with both noun and verb forms. As a noun, a label is a small tag, sticker, or piece of paper attached to an object that carries information such as a name, price, size, or warnings. It can also mean a category or type used to classify things, for example a product line label or a genre label. As a verb, to label means to attach a label to something or to identify or describe it in a particular way. People also use label metaphorically to refer to social identities or stereotypes. The word prompts attention to how we organize, identify, and describe objects and ideas in different contexts.
Usage Reminders
- • Remember label can be a noun or a verb. • Use common phrases like price label, name label, and size label. • Distinguish physical labels from data labels. • When you label, consider whether you are describing or identifying. • Watch collocations: label someone, label a file, label a product. • Practice pronunciation: /ˈleɪ. l̩/ or /ˈleɪ. ləb/ depending on form.
Common Misconceptions
- Label is only a price tag; it can also describe categories or types.
- Labeling is only about naming, not describing or classifying.
- A label and a badge are the same thing in all contexts.
- Labels always stay in one place and never change.
- Social labeling is not a concern in everyday labeling tasks.
Thinking Differences
Think in terms of both tangible labels and abstract labels as categories; English uses clear noun/verb forms and many fixed collocations (price label, label a file). Learners often overgeneralize or confuse label with tag or badge, and may not distinguish physical labeling from data labeling.
Learning Tips
- Identify both noun and verb uses in real contexts.
- Learn common collocations: price label, name label, size label.
- Distinguish physical labels from data labels in tech contexts.
- Practice labeling objects and describing them clearly.
- Notice how labels help with classification and search.
- Pronounce carefully: /ˈleɪl/ vs /ˈleɪ. bəl/.
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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