Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

red rag

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.54 in modern English

Syllables: red rag
IPA

8

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

1

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Something that will enrage another particular person.

noun

A person's tongue.

Derogatory; Obsolete; Slang

Example Sentences

"Collins dictionaries has announced that the inclusion of 2,000 new words in its forthcoming new edition means that some of the dustier corners of its lexicon will have to be swept into the semantic dustbin. Farewell embranglement, recrement, fusby and numerous others. This will be a red rag to books bloggers everywhere."
"For well I know by your glib tongue, / To what fine country you belong, / And if your red rag did not shew it, / By your queer fancies I should know it."

Etymology

Ellipsis of red rag to a bull.

Usage

Inflected Forms

red rags (plural)

Phrases

pet peeve

Frequently Paired Words

pet peeve

Questions

What does red rag mean?: Something that will enrage another particular person.
Where does red rag come from?: Ellipsis of red rag to a bull.

How to pronounce red rag

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “red rag”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “red rag”.
Repeat and practice — Say “red rag” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.