luggage
LUG-ij
/ˈlʌɡ.ɪdʒ/
Bags and suitcases containing personal belongings taken on a trip.
Luggage is an uncountable noun referring collectively to bags used when traveling. It is more common in British English, though widely understood everywhere.
The story behind the word. The word comes from the verb 'lug', meaning to pull or drag along with effort. In the 16th century, 'luggage' referred literally to inconvenient things that had to be dragged along when traveling.
Word relationships
- baggage: Baggage is identical in physical meaning but more common in North American English and airport terminology.
- bags: Bags is countable and more informal.
Commonly confused with
- baggage: Both mean personal travel bags, but luggage is favored in British English while baggage is standard in North American and aviation industry contexts.
Collocations
- unattended luggage
- excess luggage
- piece of luggage
- hand luggage
- luggage tag
Idioms & expressions
- emotional luggage (more commonly 'emotional baggage')
Example sentences
- "Passengers must keep their luggage with them at all times while in the departure hall." Airport Terminal
- "He arrived with two pieces of luggage and an air of quiet determination." Literature
- "The bellhop offered to carry our heavy luggage up to the room." Hotel Check-in
Memory hook
Think of having to LUG heavy bags through a giant airport. LUG heavy stuff on your voyage.
When not to use
Do not use 'a luggage' or 'luggages'. Use 'a piece of luggage' or 'a bag' for a single item.
Fun facts
- In the 1500s, luggage referred to any cumbersome burden, not specifically travel bags.
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