Phrase guide

flag of convenience

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Registration of a ship in a country chosen for its low taxes, permissive regulations, etc.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The flag flown by a ship so registered (corresponding to the country of registration).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: literally

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

Use of a particular location or jurisdiction as one's nominal base of operations in order to take advantage of favorable laws and regulations or to avoid restrictions on one's operations.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly

Topics: business

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 權宜輪 /权宜轮 (quányílún) — flag of a chosen country of registration
  • Chinese Mandarin: 權宜船 /权宜船 (quányíchuán) — flag of a chosen country of registration
  • Chinese Mandarin: 方便旗 (fāngbiànqí) — flag of a chosen country of registration
  • Danish: bekvemmelighedsflag — flag of a chosen country of registration
  • French: pavillon de complaisance — flag of a chosen country of registration
  • German: Billigflagge — flag of a chosen country of registration
  • Greek: σημαία ευκαιρίας (simaía efkairías) — flag of a chosen country of registration
  • Hebrew: דֶּגֶל נוֹחוּת (degel nokhut) — flag of a chosen country of registration
  • Norwegian Bokmål: bekvemmelighetsflagg — flag of a chosen country of registration
  • Polish: tania bandera — flag of a chosen country of registration
  • Polish: wygodna bandera — flag of a chosen country of registration
  • Swedish: bekvämlighetsflagg — flag of a chosen country of registration