What is label? Pronunciation and usage in English

label means . Learn how to pronounce and use label through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of label

labelnoun/verb

/ˈleɪbl/
Definition & pronunciation of label

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "label" in English. Here's a breakdown:

The most common and widely accepted pronunciation is:

  • /leɪbəl/ (rhymes with "table")

Let's break that down further:

  • le - Pronounced like the "lay" in "lay" or "say" (short "a" sound)
  • -a- - A very short, quick "uh" sound – almost silent. Think of it as just a pause.
  • -bəl - Pronounced like "bell" – with a “l” sound at the end.

Here’s a more detailed phonetic breakdown (using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA):

[ˈleɪbəl]

Tips for getting it right:

  • Focus on the "lay" sound: That's the key part of the first syllable.
  • Don't overemphasize the "-a-" sound: It's very brief.
  • Make the "l" at the end clear and distinct.

Resources for Hearing It:

  • Google Translate: Type "label" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon. This will give you a pronunciation.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/label/ - This website has pronunciations from native speakers.

Would you like me to:

  • Record the pronunciation for you (if you can use text-to-speech)?
  • Give you some similar-sounding words to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word label in English

Let's break down how to use the word "label" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Physical Sticker/Tag:

  • Definition: This is the most common meaning – a piece of material (paper, plastic, etc.) affixed to something to identify it.
  • Examples:
    • "I put a label on the jar so I'd know what's inside."
    • "The shipping company attached a label with my address to the package."
    • "She carefully applied a label to the box indicating 'Fragile'."
    • "The vintage shirt had a faded label from a long-gone fashion house."

2. To Categorize or Classify (More Abstract):

  • Definition: To assign something to a particular category or group. This is where it gets a bit more figurative.
  • Examples:
    • "The teacher labeled him 'gifted' based on his test scores." (Categorizing a student)
    • "The report labeled the company's financial difficulties as 'temporary'." (Assigning a description)
    • “Scientists labeled this new species of beetle after careful observation.” (Classifying a creature)
    • "Don't label people before you get to know them." (Assigning a judgment prematurely)

3. In Software and Databases (Technical):

  • Definition: Within computer systems, a "label" is a short piece of text that identifies a file, folder, or data entry.
  • Examples:
    • "I saved the document with the label 'Project Proposal'."
    • "The database labeled each customer record with their location."

4. In Marketing & Branding:

  • Definition: A word or phrase used to represent a brand, product, or service, often visually (logo, color scheme).
  • Examples:
    • "Apple’s label is innovation and design."
    • “The coffee shop’s label emphasizes its commitment to fair-trade beans.”

5. Informal - To Announce or Point Out:

  • Definition: To state something clearly, often with a slightly critical or pointed tone.
  • Examples:
    • "I labeled that as unacceptable behavior." (Expressing disapproval)
    • “He labeled it ‘a disaster’ immediately after the game.” (Describing an outcome)

Key Phrases to Help You:

  • Apply a label to: (e.g., “Apply a label to the product”)
  • Label something as: (e.g., "Label it as 'urgent'")
  • Label someone as: (e.g., “Labeling someone negative”)
  • Give something a label: (e.g., “Give the package a label”)

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

Use Case Meaning Example
Physical Adhesive tag/sticker "The book had a yellow price label."
Categorization To put something into a group "The program labeled the data as 'error'."
Technical Identifier in a system "The file was labeled 'report.docx'."
Marketing Brand representation "The brand's label is luxury."
Informal To state clearly, often critically "I labeled that decision foolish."

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you trying to use the word "label"? (e.g., are you writing a story, having a conversation, doing a school assignment?)

Synonyms for the word label

Practice with vocabulary label

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Each chemical container in the lab must have a clear safety _________ indicating its contents and hazards.
  2. It is often unhelpful to _________ individuals based on a single characteristic, as people are complex and multifaceted.
  3. Before shelving, please _________ the incoming books by genre and publication date to ensure proper organization.
  4. Employees must wear their badges at all times to _________ themselves to visitors and security personnel.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

  1. To ensure proper inventory management, every item in the warehouse needs a scannable _________. a) tag b) mark c) label d) sticker

  2. Before shipping, you must _________ each box with the correct destination address and tracking number. a) designate b) affix c) mark d) label

  3. Academics sometimes _________ emerging concepts to facilitate discussion and analysis within their field. a) define b) characterize c) classify d) label

  4. It's crucial to _________ reliable sources from unreliable ones when conducting research for your thesis. a) identify b) recognize c) distinguish d) name

  5. The librarian needs to _________ the new arrivals according to the Dewey Decimal System before they can be put on the shelves. a) organize b) group c) sort d) arrange

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: Every piece of equipment needs an identification marker that shows its asset number. Rewrite using "label":

  2. Original: Critics tend to describe this new art movement in very simplistic, often misleading, terms. Rewrite using "label" or a related word form:

  3. Original: You should sort the confidential files into specific folders based on their security clearance. Rewrite using a suitable replacement word (do not use "label"):

Answer Key

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. label
  2. label
  3. classify
  4. identify

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) tag, c) label, d) sticker
  2. b) affix, c) mark, d) label
  3. a) define, b) characterize, c) classify, d) label
  4. a) identify, b) recognize, c) distinguish
  5. a) organize, b) group, c) sort, d) arrange

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite using "label": Every piece of equipment needs a label that shows its asset number.
  2. Rewrite using "label" or a related word form: Critics tend to label this new art movement in very simplistic, often misleading, terms. (Alternatively: Critics tend to give this new art movement a label that is very simplistic, often misleading.)
  3. Rewrite using a suitable replacement word (do not use "label"): You should categorize the confidential files into specific folders based on their security clearance.

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