Name meanings might be bold or hidden, easy to understand or difficult to pinpoint. We’ve gathered lists of names with meanings, including girl names, boy names, and unisex names.
The most popular name meanings include names that mean hope, names meaning love, and names that mean strength or power. Traditional name meanings often relate to physical characteristics, like hair color, or dwelling places.
Modern name meanings are often obvious, since many of today’s unique baby names are created from words or nature or spiritual qualities. Baby names such as True and Ivy and Bear mean as names exactly what they mean as words.
The meanings of names, whether obvious or hidden, have become more rather than less popular in recent years. Many parents search for name meanings that symbolize a quality that’s important to them — names that mean new beginnings, for instance, or names that mean life — and work backwards to find a name that fits.
Not all name meanings are positive, of course. Some otherwise-appealing names have negative meanings like lame or rival (sorry, Emily). This may matter to you or it may not, but you definitely should be aware of a name’s meaning before you settle on it.
Search these lists of name meanings to find the type of baby name and style of meaning that works best for you.
Lists of Names by Meaning
This is a list of names in which the categories include word names.
Custodio m Spanish
Means «guardian» in Spanish, from Latin custodia «protection, safekeeping».
Cyan f & m English (Rare)
From the English word meaning «greenish blue», ultimately derived from Greek κύανος (kyanos).
Daffodil f English (Rare)
From the name of the flower, ultimately derived from Dutch de affodil meaning «the asphodel».
Dahlia f English (Modern)
From the name of the flower, which was named for the Swedish botanist Anders Dahl.
Daisy f English
Simply from the English word for the white flower, ultimately derived from Old English dægeseage meaning «day eye». It was first used as a given name in the 19th century, at the same time many other plant and flower names were coined.… [more]
Dale m & f English
From an English surname that originally belonged to a person who lived near a dale or valley.
Dash m English (Modern)
Probably inspired by the English word dash meaning «run, sprint». In some cases it can be a short form of Dashiell, as in the animated movie The Incredibles (2004) where it belongs to a speedy young superhero.
Dawn f English
From the English word dawn, ultimately derived from Old English dagung.
Deacon m English (Modern)
Either from the occupational surname Deacon or directly from the vocabulary word deacon, which refers to a cleric in the Christian church (ultimately from Greek διάκονος (diakonos) meaning «servant»).
Dean m English
From a surname, see Dean 1 and Dean 2. The actor James Dean (1931-1955) was a famous bearer of the surname.
Deemer m English (Rare)
From an English and Scottish surname meaning «judge», from Old English demere.
Deforest m English
From a French surname meaning «from the forest». It was originally given in honour of American author John Deforest (1826-1906).
Deja f African American (Modern)
Means «already» from the French phrase déjà vu meaning «already seen». It received a popularity boost in 1995 when a character named Deja appeared in the movie Higher Learning.
Delicia f English (Rare)
Either from Latin deliciae «delight, pleasure» or a variant of the English word delicious. It has been used since the 17th century (rarely).
Dell m & f English
From an English surname that originally denoted a person who lived in a dell or valley.
Delta f English
From the name of the fourth letter in the Greek alphabet, Δ. It is also the name for an island formed at the mouth of a river.
Derin f Turkish
Means «deep, profound» in Turkish.
Derviş m Turkish
From a Turkish word, which exists in English as dervish, for a Sufi ascetic. It is derived from Persian, ultimately from Old Iranian *drigu meaning «needy, poor».
Destiny f English
Means simply «destiny, fate» from the English word, ultimately from Latin destinare «to determine», a derivative of stare «to stand». It has been used as a given name in the English-speaking world only since the last half of the 20th century.
Diamond f English (Rare), African American (Modern)
From the English word diamond for the clear colourless precious stone, the traditional birthstone of April. It is derived from Late Latin diamas, from Latin adamas, which is of Greek origin meaning «invincible, untamed».
Diana f English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Catalan, German, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Estonian, Lithuanian, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Armenian, Georgian, Roman Mythology
Means «divine, goddesslike», a derivative of dia or diva meaning «goddess». It is ultimately related to the same Indo-European root *dyew- found in Zeus. Diana was a Roman goddess of the moon, hunting, forests and childbirth, often identified with the Greek goddess Artemis.… [more]
Diletta f Italian
Means «beloved» in Italian, from Latin dilectus.
Dilys f Welsh
Means «genuine» in Welsh. It has been used since the late 19th century.
Dirk m Dutch, Low German, German, English
Dutch and Low German short form of Diederik. This name was borne by several counts of Frisia and Holland, beginning in the 10th century. It was popularized in the English-speaking world by actor Dirk Bogarde (1921-1999), who had some Dutch ancestry. This is also the Scots word for a type of dagger.
Discordia f Roman Mythology
Means «discord, strife» in Latin. This was the name of the Roman goddess of discord, equivalent to the Greek goddess Eris.
Doina f Romanian
Means «folk song», from Romanian doină.
Dolly f English
Diminutive of Dorothy. Doll and Dolly were used from the 16th century, and the common English word doll (for the plaything) is derived from them. In modern times this name is also sometimes used as a diminutive of Dolores.
Dolores f Spanish, English
Means «sorrows», taken from the Spanish title of the Virgin Mary María de los Dolores, meaning «Mary of Sorrows». It has been used in the English-speaking world since the 19th century, becoming especially popular in America during the 1920s and 30s.
Dove f English
From the English word for the variety of bird, seen as a symbol of peace.
Drake m English
From an English surname derived from the Old Norse byname Draki or the Old English byname Draca both meaning «dragon», both via Latin from Greek δράκων (drakon) meaning «dragon, serpent». This name coincides with the unrelated English word drake meaning «male duck». A famous bearer is the Canadian actor and rapper Drake (1986-), who was born as Aubrey Drake Graham.
Dream f English (Modern)
From the English word dream referring to imaginary events seen in the mind while sleeping or a hope or wish.
Duke m English
From the noble title duke, which was originally derived from Latin dux «leader».
Dunja f Serbian, Croatian, Slovene
Means «quince» in the South Slavic languages, a quince being a type of fruit. It can also be a Serbian, Croatian and Slovene form of Dunya.
Durante m Italian
Italian form of the Late Latin name Durans, which meant «enduring».
Dusty m & f English
From a nickname originally given to people perceived as being dusty. It is also used a diminutive of Dustin. A famous bearer was British singer Dusty Springfield (1939-1999), who acquired her nickname as a child.
Dutch m English
From a nickname given to Americans of German descent. It is related to deutsch, the German word meaning «German».
Earl m English
From the aristocratic title, which derives from Old English eorl «nobleman, warrior». It has been used as a given name since the 19th century.
Earnest m English
Variant of Ernest influenced by the spelling of the English word earnest.
Easter f English
From the English name of the Christian festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. It was ultimately named for the Germanic spring goddess Eostre. It was traditionally given to children born on Easter, though it is rare in modern times.
Ebony f African American
From the English word ebony for the black wood that comes from the ebony tree. It is ultimately from the Egyptian word hbnj. In America this name is most often used in the black community.
Echo f Greek Mythology
From the Greek word ἠχώ (echo) meaning «echo, reflected sound», related to ἠχή (eche) meaning «sound». In Greek mythology Echo was a nymph given a speech impediment by Hera, so that she could only repeat what others said. She fell in love with Narcissus, but her love was not returned, and she pined away until nothing remained of her except her voice.
Eder 2 m Basque
Means «handsome, beautiful» in Basque.
Eglantine f English (Rare)
From the English word for the flower also known as sweetbrier. It is derived via Old French from Vulgar Latin *aquilentum meaning «prickly». It was early used as a given name (in the form Eglentyne) in Geoffrey Chaucer’s 14th-century story The Prioress’s Tale (one of The Canterbury Tales).
Eglė f Lithuanian
Means «spruce tree» in Lithuanian. In a Lithuanian folk tale Eglė is a young woman who marries a grass snake. At the end of the tale she turns herself into a spruce.
Eira 1 f Welsh
Means «snow» in Welsh. This is a recently created name.
Eirlys f Welsh
Means «snowdrop (flower)» in Welsh, a compound of eira «snow» and llys «plant».
Ekain m Basque
Means «June (the month)» in Basque.
Elain f Welsh
Means «fawn» in Welsh. This name was created in the 19th century.
Elle f English (Modern)
Diminutive of Eleanor and other names beginning with El. This name can also be given in reference to the French pronoun elle meaning «she».… [more]
Elli 3 f Norse Mythology
Means «old age» in Old Norse. In the Prose Edda this is the name of an old woman (old age personified) who wrestles with and defeats the god Thor.
Ember f English (Modern)
From the English word ember, ultimately from Old English æmerge.
Emerald f English (Modern)
From the word for the green precious stone, which is the traditional birthstone of May. The emerald supposedly imparts love to the bearer. The word is ultimately from Greek σμάραγδος (smaragdos).
Enara f Basque
Means «swallow (bird)» in Basque.
Encarnación f Spanish
Means «incarnation» in Spanish. This is given in reference to the Incarnation of Jesus in the womb of the Virgin Mary.
Enfys f Welsh
Means «rainbow» in Welsh. This name was first used in the 19th century.
Epiphany f English (Rare)
From the name of the Christian festival (January 6) that commemorates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus. It is also an English word meaning «sudden appearance» or «sudden perception», ultimately deriving from Greek ἐπιφάνεια (epiphaneia) meaning «manifestation».
Ernest m English, French, Catalan, Polish, Slovak, Slovene
Derived from Old High German ernust meaning «serious, earnest». It was introduced to England by the German House of Hanover when they inherited the British throne in the 18th century, though it did not become common until the following century. The American author and adventurer Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) was a famous bearer of the name. It was also used by Oscar Wilde for a character in his comedy The Importance of Being Earnest (1895).
Eser f & m Turkish
Means «product, achievement» in Turkish.
Esin f Turkish
Means «inspiration» in Turkish.
Esmeralda f Spanish, Portuguese, English, Albanian, Literature
Means «emerald» in Spanish and Portuguese. Victor Hugo used this name in his novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (1831), in which Esmeralda is the Gypsy girl who is loved by Quasimodo. It has occasionally been used in the English-speaking world since that time.
Esperanza f Spanish
Spanish form of the Late Latin name Sperantia, which was derived from sperare «to hope».
Essence f English (Modern)
From the English word essence, which means either «odour, scent» or else «fundamental quality». Ultimately it derives from Latin esse «to be».
Eve f English, Estonian, Biblical
From the Hebrew name חַוָּה (Chawwah), which was derived from the Hebrew word חָוָה (chawah) meaning «to breathe» or the related word חָיָה (chayah) meaning «to live». According to the Old Testament Book of Genesis, Eve and Adam were the first humans. God created her from one of Adam’s ribs to be his companion. At the urging of a serpent she ate the forbidden fruit and shared some with Adam, causing their expulsion from the Garden of Eden.… [more]
Ever m & f English (Modern)
Simply from the English word ever, derived from Old English æfre.
Faith f English
Simply from the English word faith, ultimately from Latin fidere «to trust». This was one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans in the 17th century.
Fajra f Esperanto
Means «fiery» in Esperanto, from fajro meaning «fire».
Famke f Frisian, Dutch
Variant of Femke. It also coincides with a Frisian word meaning «girl».
Fancy f English (Rare)
From the English word fancy, which means either «like, love, inclination» or «ornamental». It is derived from Middle English fantasie, which comes (via Norman French and Latin) from Greek φαίνω (phaino) meaning «to show, to appear».
Fang f & m Chinese
From Chinese 芳 (fāng) meaning «fragrant, virtuous, beautiful» or other characters with a similar pronunciation.
Faraj m Arabic
Means «comfort, relief» in Arabic.
Favour m & f English (African)
From the English word favour, ultimately from Latin faveo «to favour». This name is most common in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.
Fawn f English
From the English word fawn for a young deer.
Fe f Spanish
Means «faith» in Spanish, derived from Latin fides.
Fedora f Russian (Rare), Italian
Russian form of Theodora. This was the name of an 1898 opera by the Italian composer Umberto Giordano (who based it on an 1882 French play).
Felicita f Italian
Italian form of Felicitas. It also coincides closely with Italian felicità «happiness».
Felicity f English
From the English word felicity meaning «happiness», which ultimately derives from Latin felicitas «good luck». This was one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans around the 17th century. It can sometimes be used as an English form of the Latin name Felicitas. This name jumped in popularity in the United States after the premiere of the television series Felicity in 1998. It is more common in the United Kingdom.
Fern f English
From the English word for the plant, ultimately from Old English fearn. It has been used as a given name since the late 19th century.
Fester m Popular Culture
From the English word fester meaning «rot, rankle». This is the name of the uncle on the Addams Family television series (1964-1966) and subsequent adaptations. The character was created by the cartoonist Charles Addams in the 1930s, though he was not named.
Ffion f Welsh
Means «foxglove» in Welsh (species Digitalis purpurea). This is a recently created Welsh name.
Fife m Scottish (Rare)
From a Scottish place name that was formerly the name of a kingdom in Scotland. It is said to be named for a Pictish kingdom called Fib.
Figaro m Literature
Created by playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais for the central character in his plays The Barber of Seville (1775), The Marriage of Figaro (1784) and The Guilty Mother (1792). Beaumarchais may have based the character’s name on the French phrase fils Caron meaning «son of Caron», which was his own nickname and would have been pronounced in a similar way. In modern French the word figaro has acquired the meaning «barber», reflecting the character’s profession.
Fiore f & m Italian
Means «flower» in Italian. It can also be considered an Italian form of the Latin names Flora and Florus.
Fisher m English
From an English surname meaning «fisherman».
Fletcher m English
From a surname meaning «maker of arrows» in Middle English, ultimately from Old French flechier.
Fleur f French, Dutch, English (Rare)
Means «flower» in French. Saint Fleur of Issendolus (Flor in Gascon) was a 14th-century nun from Maurs, France. This was also the name of a character in John Galsworthy’s novels The Forsyte Saga (1922).
Flick f & m English (Rare)
Diminutive of Felicity. In some cases it can be a nickname from the English word flick.
Flint m English
From the English vocabulary word, from Old English flint.
Flor f Spanish, Portuguese
Either directly from Spanish or Portuguese flor meaning «flower», or a short form of Florencia.
Flower f English (Rare)
Simply from the English word flower for the blossoming plant. It is derived (via Old French) from Latin flos.
Ford m English
From an English surname that was derived from a place name meaning «ford» in Old English. A famous bearer of the surname was the American industrialist Henry Ford (1863-1947).
Forest m English
Variant of Forrest, or else directly from the English word forest.
Fortuna f Roman Mythology
Means «luck» in Latin. In Roman mythology this was the name of the personification of luck.
Fortunato m Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
Italian, Spanish and Portuguese form of the Late Latin name Fortunatus meaning «fortunate, blessed, happy». This was the name of several early saints and martyrs.
Fortune m & f French, English (Rare)
Simply from the word fortune, ultimately from Latin fortuna, a derivative of fors «luck».
Fox m English (Modern)
Either from the English word fox or the surname Fox, which originally given as a nickname. The surname was borne by George Fox (1624-1691), the founder of the Quakers.
Frank m English, German, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, French
From an Old German name that referred to a member of the Germanic tribe, the Franks. The Franks settled in the regions now called France, Belgium and the Netherlands in the 3rd and 4th century. They possibly derived their tribal name from a type of spear that they used, from Proto-Germanic *frankô. From medieval times, the various forms of this name have been commonly conflated with the various forms of Francis. In modern times it is sometimes used as a short form of Francis or Franklin.… [more]
Friday m English (African)
From the English word for the day of the week, which was derived from Old English frigedæg meaning «Frig’s day». Daniel Defoe used it for a character in his novel Robinson Crusoe (1719). As a given name, it is most often found in parts of Africa, such as Nigeria and Zambia.
Gage m English (Modern)
From an English surname of Old French origin meaning either «measure», originally denoting one who was an assayer, or «pledge», referring to a moneylender. It was popularized as a given name by a character from the book Pet Sematary (1983) and the subsequent movie adaptation (1989).
Gaja 2 f Esperanto
Means «cheerful, merry, glad» in Esperanto.
Gale 2 m English
From an English surname that was derived from Middle English gaile «jovial».
Gardenia f English (Rare)
From the name of the tropical flower, which was named for the Scottish naturalist Alexander Garden (1730-1791).
Garland m English
From a surname meaning «triangle land» from Old English gara and land. The surname originally belonged to a person who owned a triangle-shaped piece of land.
Garnet 1 f English
From the English word garnet for the precious stone, the birthstone of January. The word is derived from Middle English gernet meaning «dark red».
Gay f English
From the English word gay meaning «gay, happy». By the mid-20th century the word had acquired the additional meaning of «homosexual», and the name has subsequently dropped out of use.
Genesis f English (Modern)
Means «birth, origin» in Greek. This is the name of the first book of the Old Testament in the Bible. It tells of the creation of the world, the expulsion of Adam and Eve, Noah and the great flood, and the three patriarchs.
Gift m & f English (African)
From the English word gift, of Old Norse origin. This name is most common in parts of English-influenced Africa.
Gifty f English (African)
From the English word gift. This name is most common in Ghana in Africa.
Ginger f English
From the English word ginger for the spice or the reddish-brown colour. It can also be a diminutive of Virginia, as in the case of actress and dancer Ginger Rogers (1911-1995), by whom the name was popularized.
Gloria f English, Spanish, Italian, German
Means «glory», from the Portuguese and Spanish titles of the Virgin Mary Maria da Glória and María de Gloria. Maria da Glória (1819-1853) was the daughter of the Brazilian emperor Pedro I, eventually becoming queen of Portugal as Maria II.… [more]
Glory f English (Rare)
Simply from the English word glory, ultimately from Latin gloria.
Gore m English (Rare)
From an English surname meaning «triangular» (from Old English gara), originally referring to someone who lived on a triangular piece of land. A famous bearer was American writer Gore Vidal (1925-2012).
Grace f English
From the English word grace, which ultimately derives from Latin gratia. This was one of the virtue names created in the 17th century by the Puritans. The actress Grace Kelly (1929-1982) was a famous bearer.… [more]
Granit m Albanian
Means «granite» in Albanian, from Italian granito, ultimately derived from Latin granum meaning «grain».
Grant m English, Scottish
From an English and Scottish surname that was derived from Norman French grand meaning «great, large». A famous bearer of the surname was Ulysses Grant (1822-1885), the commander of the Union forces during the American Civil War who later served as president. In America the name has often been given in his honour.
Gray m & f English (Rare)
From an English surname meaning «grey», originally given to a person who had grey hair or clothing.
Griffin m English
Latinized form of Gruffudd. This name can also be inspired by the English word griffin, a creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle, ultimately from Greek γρύψ (gryps).
Guy 1 m English, French
Old French form of Wido. The Normans introduced it to England, where it was common until the time of Guy Fawkes (1570-1606), a revolutionary who attempted to blow up the British parliament. The name was revived in the 19th century, due in part to characters in the novels Guy Mannering (1815) by Walter Scott and The Heir of Redclyffe (1854) by C. M. Yonge.
Gypsy f English (Rare)
Simply from the English word Gypsy for the nomadic people who originated in northern India. The word was originally a corruption of Egyptian. It is sometimes considered pejorative.
Hà f & m Vietnamese
From Sino-Vietnamese 河 (hà) meaning «river».
Hadil f Arabic
Means «cooing (of a pigeon)» in Arabic.
Haf f Welsh
Means «summer» in Welsh.
Hajime m Japanese
Means «beginning» in Japanese, written with kanji having the same or similar meanings, such as 肇, 一 or 元, as well others.
Halcyon f Various
From the name of a genus of kingfisher birds, derived from Greek ἀλκυών (from the same source as Alcyone).
Hale 2 m English
From a surname that was derived from a place name meaning «nook, retreat» from Old English healh.
Hall m English
From a surname that was derived from Old English heall «manor, hall», originally belonging to a person who lived or worked in a manor.
Ham m Biblical
Means «hot, warm» in Hebrew. In the Old Testament, Ham is one of Noah’s three sons, along with Shem and Japheth. He was the ancestor of the Egyptians and Canaanites.
Hana 3 f Japanese
From Japanese 花 (hana) or 華 (hana) both meaning «flower». Other kanji or kanji combinations can form this name as well.
Happy f & m English (Rare)
From the English word happy, derived from Middle English hap «chance, luck», of Old Norse origin.
Hardy 1 m English
From a surname that was derived from Middle English hardi «bold, hardy».
Harmony f English
From the English word harmony, ultimately deriving from Greek ἁρμονία (harmonia).
Harper f & m English
From an English surname that originally belonged to a person who played or made harps (Old English hearpe). A notable bearer was the American author Harper Lee (1926-2016), who wrote To Kill a Mockingbird. It rapidly gained popularity in the 2000s and 2010s, entering the American top ten for girls in 2015.
Harry m English
Medieval English form of Henry. In modern times it is used as a diminutive of both Henry and names beginning with Har. Famous bearers include the American president Harry S. Truman (1884-1972), who was named after his uncle Harrison, and the British royal Prince Harry (1984-), who is actually named Henry. It is also the name of the boy wizard in J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series of books, first released in 1997.
Haul m Welsh (Rare)
Means «sun» in Welsh. This is a modern Welsh name.
Haven f & m English
From the English word for a safe place, derived ultimately from Old English hæfen.
Haywood m English
From a surname that was derived from a place name meaning «fenced wood» in Old English.
Hazel f English
From the English word hazel for the tree or the light brown colour, derived ultimately from Old English hæsel. It was coined as a given name in the 19th century and quickly became popular, reaching the 18th place for girls in the United States by 1897. It fell out of fashion in the second half of the 20th century, but has since recovered.
Heard m Anglo-Saxon
Short form of various Old English names containing the element heard meaning «hard, firm, brave, hardy».
Heath m English
From an English surname that denoted one who lived on a heath. It was popularized as a given name by the character Heath Barkley from the 1960s television series The Big Valley.
Heather f English
From the English word heather for the variety of small shrubs with pink or white flowers, which commonly grow in rocky areas. It is derived from Middle English hather. It was first used as a given name in the late 19th century, though it did not become popular until the last half of the 20th century.
Hefin m Welsh
Means «summer» in Welsh, a poetic form of Haf.
Hekla f Icelandic
From the name of an active Icelandic volcano, derived from Old Norse hekla meaning «cloak».
Hellä f Finnish
Means «gentle, tender» in Finnish.
Helve f Estonian
Means «flake, snowflake» in Estonian.
Hengist m Anglo-Saxon Mythology
Means «stallion» in Old English or Old Saxon. According to medieval histories (recorded by Bede in the 8th century), Hengist and his brother Horsa were the leaders of the first Saxon settlers in Britain. Hengist established a kingdom in Kent in the 5th century.
Hero 1 f Greek Mythology
Derived from Greek ἥρως (heros) meaning «hero». In Greek legend she was the lover of Leander, who would swim across the Hellespont each night to meet her. He was killed on one such occasion when he got caught in a storm while in the water, and when Hero saw his dead body she drowned herself. This is also the name of a character in Shakespeare’s play Much Ado About Nothing (1599).
Heron m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek ἥρως (heros) meaning «hero». This was the name of a 1st-century Greek inventor (also known as Hero) from Alexandria.
Heulwen f Welsh
Means «sunshine» in Welsh (a compound of haul «sun» and gwen «white, fair, blessed»).
Hilja f Finnish, Estonian
Means «silent, quiet» in Finnish and Estonian (a rare poetic word).
Hilla f Finnish
Short form of names beginning with Hil. It also means «cloudberry» in Finnish.
Hind f Arabic
Possibly means «group of camels» in Arabic. Hind bint Abi Umayyah, also known as Umm Salama, was one of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad. This is also the Arabic name for the country of India.
Hitomi f Japanese
From Japanese 瞳 (hitomi) meaning «pupil of the eye». It can also come from 史 (hito) meaning «history» and 美 (mi) meaning «beautiful», as well as other kanji combinations. This name is often written with the hiragana writing system.
Holly f English
From the English word for the holly tree, ultimately derived from Old English holen.
Honey f English (Rare)
Simply from the English word honey, ultimately from Old English hunig. This was originally a nickname for a sweet person.
Honour f English (Rare)
From the English word honour, which is of Latin origin. This was one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans in the 17th century. It can also be viewed as a form of Honoria or Honorata, which are ultimately derived from the same source.
Hope f English
From the English word hope, ultimately from Old English hopian. This name was first used by the Puritans in the 17th century.
Horst m German
Means «wood, thicket» in Low German. Alternatively, it may derive from Horsa. This name was popular in the first half of the 20th century but has since become uncommon. It is now a German slang word for an unintelligent person.
Hua f & m Chinese
From Chinese 华 (huá) meaning «splendid, illustrious, Chinese» or 花 (huā) meaning «flower, blossom» (which is usually only feminine). Other Chinese characters can form this name as well.
Hunter m & f English
From an occupational English surname for a hunter, derived from Old English hunta. A famous bearer was the eccentric American journalist Hunter S. Thompson (1937-2005).
Hyacinth 2 f English (Rare)
From the name of the flower (or the precious stone that also bears this name), ultimately from Greek hyakinthos (see Hyacinthus).
Ibolya f Hungarian
Means «violet» in Hungarian, ultimately from Latin viola.
Iker m Basque
Means «visitation» in Basque. It is an equivalent of the Spanish name Visitación, coined by Sabino Arana in his 1910 list of Basque saints names.
Ilargi f Basque
Means «moon» in Basque, a compound of hil «month» and argi «light».
Illuminata f Late Roman
Means «illuminated, brightened, filled with light» in Latin. This name was borne by a 4th-century saint from Todi, Italy.
Impi f Finnish
Means «maiden, virgin» in Finnish.
India f English, Spanish (Modern)
From the name of the country, which is itself derived from the name of the Indus River. The river’s name is ultimately from Sanskrit सिन्धु (Sindhu) meaning «body of trembling water, river». India Wilkes is a character in the novel Gone with the Wind (1936) by Margaret Mitchell.
Indigo f & m English (Rare)
From the English word indigo for the purplish-blue dye or the colour. It is ultimately derived from Greek Ἰνδικὸν (Indikon) meaning «Indic, from India».
Indu f Indian, Hindi
Means «bright drop» in Sanskrit. This is a name for the moon.
Inmaculada f Spanish
Means «immaculate» in Spanish. This name is given to commemorate the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.
Innocent m History (Ecclesiastical), English (African)
From the Late Latin name Innocentius, which was derived from innocens «innocent». This was the name of several early saints. It was also borne by 13 popes including Innocent III, a politically powerful ruler and organizer of the Fourth Crusade.… [more]
Invidia f Roman Mythology
Means «envy» in Latin. This was the Roman goddess of vengeance, equivalent to the Greek goddess Nemesis.
Iolanthe f Various
Probably a variant of Yolanda influenced by the Greek words ἰόλη (iole) meaning «violet» and ἄνθος (anthos) meaning «flower». This name was (first?) used by Gilbert and Sullivan in their comic opera Iolanthe (1882).
Ion 2 m Greek Mythology
Of unknown etymology, possibly Pre-Greek. According to Greek mythology he was a son of Creusa and Xuthus (or alternatively the god Apollo). He was said to be the ancestor of the Greek tribe of the Ionians.
Iridián f Spanish (Mexican, Modern)
Means «related to Iris or rainbows», ultimately from Greek ἶρις (genitive ἴριδος). It briefly entered the American top 1000 list in 1995, likely due to a Mexican singer named Iridián.
Iris f Greek Mythology, English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, French, Spanish, Catalan, Italian, Slovene, Greek
Means «rainbow» in Greek. Iris was the name of the Greek goddess of the rainbow, also serving as a messenger to the gods. This name can also be given in reference to the word (which derives from the same Greek source) for the iris flower or the coloured part of the eye.
Isla f Scottish, English
Variant of Islay, typically used as a feminine name. It also coincides with the Spanish word isla meaning «island».
Itzal m Basque
Means «shadow, protection» in Basque.
Ivory m & f African American
From the English word for the hard, creamy-white substance that comes from elephant tusks and was formerly used to produce piano keys.
Ivy f English
From the English word for the climbing plant that has small yellow flowers. It is ultimately derived from Old English ifig.
Image: Shutterstock
There are some unique English words that have a beautiful sound and meaning to them. Perhaps, that’s why many parents prefer using these words to name their babies. So, here we bring you a list of word names for boys and girls you can refer to for naming your baby. This exhaustive list has names, some of which are evergreen and some long-forgotten yet relevant even today. So, take a plunge into the ocean of unique baby names after enchanting plants, famous cities, words with deep meanings, and more.
1. Alfa
The name Alfa has a Greek origin and means “beginning.”
2. Anchor
The name Anchor has an English origin, and it means “stability.”
3. Anthem
The name Anthem does not just mean an old or patriotic song. It is actually defined as an uplifting or inspiring song.
4. Arrow
It is a unisex baby name of English origin, and it means “a dart fired from a bow.” Arrow is also a famous US television series, which is based on the comic hero, Green Arrow.
Did you know?
Arrow is also used as a surname throughout England and Scotland. It originates from the French region named Artois.
5. Ash
According to Greek mythology, the word Ash is derived from an ash tree. A few other variations of this name are Asher or Ashton.
6. Baker
The word baker is not just associated with someone who bakes, but it is also a famous surname of Old English origin.
7. Bay
It originally meant someone with reddish-brown hair. But in Vietnamese, it means “born on Saturday.”
8. Bear
This name has its roots in Old German and Old French, and means “to be as brave and strong as a bear.”
9. Beta
The name Beta has a Greek origin and can be found in The Bible’s Old Testament. It means “the oath of God.”
10. Bill
Bill is a very well-known old school name with an English origin, and it means “with a gilded helmet.”
11. Birch
The name Birch has an Old English origin and means “shining” or “bright” or refers to the Birch tree.
12. Blaze
The meaning of Blaze in Latin means “fire.” Although it is a unisex name, it is most preferred to name baby boys.
Trivia
Its French version, ‘Blaise,’ was most notably borne by the famous French Mathematician Blaise Pascal.
13. Blue
The color Blue is associated with the sky and the sea, and means “shining.”
14. Brave
The word Brave has been used a lot of times in history. This English word means “courageous” or “strong enough to face any fear.”
15. Brent
It comes from Old English and means “a high place” or “the holy one.” It is a masculine name, which gives a kind, attractive, and fun-loving personality to the bearer.
16. Bright
Bright is an adorable name, and it means “full of hope” or “the exalted one.”
17. Brio
The name Brio is packed with a lot of energy. The Italian origin name means “zest” or “vivacity.”
18. Caliber
It is originally derived from the Arabic word “qalib,” meaning a “casting mold.”
19. Canyon
The word Canyon comes from Spanish and means “a long tube.” The English meaning of the name is “a large ravine.”
20. Cash
The name cash is associated with prosperity. It comes from Old French and means “custodian of wealth.”
21. Chandler
Chandler comes from the Old French word “Chandelier.” You must remember the surname Chandler Bing, from the famous television show “friends.”
Trivia
Chandler is also the name of a suburb of Phoenix in Arizona, noteworthy for its annual Ostrich Festival.
22. Chase
Chase means to “catch” or “seize.” It also means a hunter and comes from Old English.
23. Chord
The name Chord has musical connotations to it, and it means “to play in total harmony.”
24. Chosen
The name Chosen represents a bright and very nice person. It can also mean “the chosen one from God.”
25. Clay
Clay is a very common name used by the characters of many movies and television shows. It has an English origin and leans strongly towards boys.
26. Colt
Image: Shutterstock
The Old English name Colt means “a young horse.” It defines a person with enthusiasm and liveliness.
27. Concord
It comes from the Latin word Concorde, meaning “hearts together” or “harmony.”
28. Copper
In the early days, Copper was mined from the island of Cyprus, and ancient Romans used to call the island copper. It also refers to the Roman Goddess Venus.
29. Cove
The word cove means a sheltered area in the hills, valleys, or mountains.
30. Credence
Credence is a unisex name and comes from the Latin word “credere,” meaning “to believe.”
31. Crew
The name Crew comes from English and means a group of people. It also represents unity, bond, and closeness.
32. Cruz
The word Cruz has Spanish and Portuguese origins. It is a Christian name derived from the word cross.
33. Dare
A unique name that is quite popular among parents who wish their boy to have a strong personality.
34. Day
It is a short and sweet name that represents charm and brightness.
35. Dean
It is derived from an Anglo-Saxon word, which means “valley.”
36. Diver
Diver refers to someone who goes to deep oceans for exploration. It represents someone who has a strong exploratory nature.
37. Dodge
The name has an English origin and is commonly used to name boys. It is also the name of a famous car manufacturer.
38. Drummer
It is a unique name with musical connotations to it. The name is more popular as a middle name.
39. Duke
The name Duke comes from Latin and means “nobility” or “leader.”
40. Dune
The English name Dune means “a mountain of sand,” and is also used to refer to a brown-skinned soldier.
41. Elm
Elm is a common middle name and refers to someone strong and positive. It also refers to the Elm Tree.
42. Endeavor
It represents someone with a strong personality. The name comes from Middle English and means “to make an effort.”
43. Ever
The name Ever has its roots in the Old Scandinavian language and means “wild as a boar.”
44. Falcon
Falcon is a very common boys’ name of Latin origin. It refers to a bird from the hawk family.
45. Flint
The name Flint has an Old English origin, and it means “a stream.”
46. Foster
Foster is a very popular name and surname in North America. You might also have heard of the famous comedian Foster Brooks.
47. Frost
The name has its origin in the Old Scandinavian language and refers to winter. It makes for an ideal name for a baby born in the winter.
48. Gable
The word has an Old Norse origin and refers to a triangular hill. It also means “bright” or “God” in Old German.
49. Garnet
Garnet is associated with the color red and is the name of a precious stone similar to ruby.
50. Gather
The name Gather means “to assemble,” “to collect,” or “bring together.” It represents unity and bond.
51. Golden
Golden refers to someone who is special and precious. It is a popular unisex name in many parts of the world.
52. Hale
It is a unique name with an Old English origin. It means “hollow” or “recess.”
53. Harbor
Harbor refers to a place where ships standby for shelter. This name creates a sense of protectiveness and trust.
54. Hardy
Hardy is a popular first name and surname of Old French origin. It means “bold and courageous.”
55. Harper
The meaning of Harper is “a harp player.” It is a unique unisex name.
56. Hart
The Old English name Hart means “to be strong” or “brave.”
57. Harvest
The word has its origin in Old English and means “autumn.”
58. Hawk
Hawk is a strong bird that thrives in the wild. The name Hawk creates a sense of vitality and strength.
59. Hero
The name Hero has a Greek origin, and means “the bravest one of all the people.”
60. Hunter
Hunter is a very common surname and first name. It has an Old English origin and signifies strength.
61. Jasper
The name has a Persian origin and originally referred to someone who worked as a treasurer.
62. Jordan
Jordan is a biblical name and of Hebrew origin. It means “flowing down.” According to the Bible the river Jordan is also known as the river of judgment.
63. Judge
It is a unique name for a boy and means “a person who makes the decision.”
64. Justice
Justice is a unisex name, which is predominantly given to boys. It refers to being righteous and upright.
65. Keen
The name has its origin in Old Norse and means “to be proud and wise.”
66. Kin
Kin has a Japanese origin and means “golden.”
67. Kindred
Kindred means a group of people, family, or clan. It also refers to a strong bond or relationship between people.
68. King
The name King comes from Old English and a strong name for a boy.
69. Knight
It was a popular name during medieval times and “noble,” “upright,” or “a warrior.”
70. Leaf
Leaf is a short and sweet English name and refers to someone dear or beloved.
71. Legacy
The name Legacy is of English origin and means “an inheritance.”
72. Link
Link is a modern English name, which is mostly used by parents considering boy names. It is also another form of the name Lincoln.
73. Lion
The Lion is the king of the jungle. The masculine name represents someone who is a ruler, fierce, strong, and brave.
74. Loden
The name likely has a Norwegian origin and means “someone who is focused.”
75. London
It is the name of the famous city of Roman origin. It is also popular as a middle name.
76. Lynx
The name has a Latin origin and refers to a wildcat. It also represents someone with brightness and luminescence similar to those found in a cat’s eyes.
77. March
It is the name of the third month in the Gregorian calendar. It also makes for a strong masculine name for a boy.
78. Mark
It is a contraction of the Latin name Marcus, which comes from Mars, a Roman God.
79. Miles
The name Miles has both Irish and German Origins. It means a “servant” or “soldier.”
80. Moss
The biblical name Moss is of English origin, and it means “the descendant of Moses.”
81. Navy
It is a unique name that refers to a fleet of ships. The name has a Latin origin.
82. Noble
Noble has a Latin origin and means “aristocratic” or “elite.”
83. North
It is a different name for a boy and refers to the northern direction. The name has an Old Norse origin.
84. Oak
It refers to the oak tree. The oak tree is a symbol of strength, solidity, and longevity.
85. Ocean
The boy’s name Ocean comes from Latin and Greek and refers to a large and majestic water body.
86. Pace
It is a short and sweet name for your boy. Pace has an Old French origin and it was a popular name during medieval times.
87. Page
It comes from Middle English and originally referred to a young boy training to be a knight.
88. Painter
The name Painter means someone who paints, and it is of English origin. This name creates a sense of creativity and imagination.
89. Parrish
The Christian name Parrish refers to an area defined by religion. It is a common surname and is also used as a first or middle name.
90. Pascal
Pascal is a common Christian name and means “the one who is born on Easter day.”
91. Pilot
Pilot comes from Greek and refers to someone who operates and steers a boat, aircraft, or any other automobile.
92. Pioneer
Pioneer comes from Old French and refers to someone who is first at doing something or the first to attain achievement.
93. Prosper
The name Prosper has been used by several saints in the past. It means “favorable” or “fortunate” and has a Latin origin.
94. Quest
Quest is a common unisex name. It means “a long search for something precious.” It represents someone who can overcome all hardships.
95. Race
Race refers to a running competition. This name represents someone who is competitive, popular, and striving.
96. Racer
It is a unique and modern name for a boy and refers to a participant in a race.
97. Rally
The word has multiple meanings, but as a name, it is shortened form of Ralph, which has a Scandinavian origin and means a “counselor.”
98. Ranger
The name has a French origin and means “forest guardian.”
99. Raven
It is the name of a bird. The name Raven symbolizes affection, fertility, and wisdom.
100. Ray
Ray refers to a ray of light or a ray of sunshine. It also means “a wise protector.”
101. Reason
The name Reason is derived from Old French and refers to a rational person.
102. Red
The name comes from Old English and Old Norse. It is a gender-neutral name and has a modern touch to it.
103. Reed
It is related to the name Red and comes from Old English. It was originally used as a nickname and is also used as a last name.
104. Reef
It refers to a ridge of rocks or other materials, usually within the water. The name comes from Old Dutch.
105. Resolute
Resolute is quite a unique name and means “to have determination and firmness.”
106. Revel
It is a simple and sweet name, which means “to rejoice” or “have joy.”
107. Revere
Revere is a common boy’s name and comes from Latin. It means “to admire” or “reverence.”
108. Rich
Image: Shutterstock
It has an English origin and refers to someone wealthy or a brave ruler.
109. Rise
It has an Old German origin and means “to elevate” or “move upwards.”
110. Rob
It is a contraction of Robert, which comes from German and means “bright,” “shining,” or “fame.”
111. Rocket
Rocket is a different name for your boy and it has an Italian origin. It gives its bearer a heroic aura.
112. Rocky
It is a cognate of Rocco, which comes German and means “rest.” The name is a popular first name and nickname in many parts of the world.
113. Roman
It is a cognate of romance, which means passionate affection. It is also associated with the Roman Empire.
114. Rome
It is a Latin name derived from the name Rome, the capital of Italy.
115. Russet
It refers to a reddish-brown color. The name represents someone who is fierce, brave, and strong.
116. Rusty
It is a common name of American origin and was originally used as a nickname for a person with reddish hair.
117. Rye
The name is likely related to the Irish word “Ri,” which means “King.”
118. Sailor
The name Sailor is of German origin, and is a unisex baby name.
119. Sea
The word comes from Old Norse and refers to a water body close to or enclosed by land.
120. Seven
It is a unique name for your little one and refers to the number seven.
121. Shelter
Shelter is a unique name of American origin. The name represents someone who is protective, safe, and warm.
122. Sydney
The name Sydney comes from Old English and means “wide island.” It is also the name of a famous Australian city.
123. Sincere
The meaning of Sincere is “honest.” This name is popular in many parts of the world, especially North America.
124. Slate
The name was originally an occupational name for a person who mined the slate rock. The name makes for a unique name these days.
125. Solace
The word comes from Latin and represents someone who exudes a sense of comfort and calmness.
126. Solo
It comes from the Latin word “solus,” meaning “alone.” The name Solo brings back the nostalgic name of Han Solo from the “Star Wars” movie.
127. Steel
It is the name of the iron alloy known for its incredible durability. The name Steel represents someone strong and resolute.
128. Sterling
It is a toponymic name referring to someone originally from the Scottish city of Stirling.
129. Stone
Stone has an English origin and is a common name in the British Isles. The name represents someone strong and resolute.
130. Storm
It makes for a unique name for your little one. Storm has its origin in Old Norse.
131. Story
Story is a unisex American name and it means “a tale.”
132. Summit
The name comes from Old French and refers to the apex or the highest part of a hill.
133. Timber
Timber refers to a type of wood. The name was likely an occupational name for someone who worked in processing or cutting timber.
134. Tony
It is a contraction of Anthony, which comes from the Greek word “anthos,” meaning “flower.”
135. Trace
The name likely has a Greek origin and refers to someone who is brave or the one with a pleasant personality.
136. Track
The name comes from Old Norse and means “a path.” The name represents someone who has natural leadership skills and is a path creator.
137. Trail
The name has its origin in Old English. Trail gives a sense of the mountains, nature, or outdoors.
138. Trek
Trek has its origin in Old Dutch and refers to a long and difficult journey. It is also a common nickname and surname.
139. Trip
It refers to a short journey and is a common nickname in many parts of the world. It is also sometimes used to refer to a child who was born third.
140. True
True means “genuine,” “real,” or “faithful.” It makes for a short and sweet name for your little boy.
141. Trust
The name has its origin in Old English. It means “loyal,” “faithful,” or “reliable.”
142. Truth
The word comes from the Old Norse word “tryggth,” which means “faith.” The strong name gives the bearer a sense of trust and faith.
143. Valor
This medieval Latin name means “strong,” “brave” or “bold.”
144. Water
The name Water has spiritual connotations and represents “birth and fertility.” It also represents life, making it an awesome name for your baby boy.
145. Wilder
It is a toponymic name that originally referred to someone who lived in the wild or near a forest. It is also a common surname.
146. Winter
Winter refers to the coldest season of the year, and also signifies the time before the arrival of spring.
147. Wise
Wise refers to someone who is prudent and with astute skills of judgment. The word has its origin in Old English and Old Norse.
148. Wolf
Wolf is one of the most striking animals in the spiritual realm. They are ambiguous, loyal, strong, and united. Thus, it makes for a strong masculine name for your boy.
149. Woods
Woods is a common English name and surname, and originally referred to someone who lived near the woods or the forest.
150. Zen
This name has a Chinese origin and refers to meditation. The name has a modern and traditional tone to it.
Word Names For Girls
151. Amber
Amber is an elegant feminine name. It is of English origin and refers to the beautiful orange-colored tree resin.
152. Amazon
According to Ancient Greek mythology, Amazon was a tribe of female warriors. This name refers to a strong and independent woman.
153. Amethyst
The name Amethyst refers to a precious purple jewel. It is of Greek origin and makes for an ideal name for your precious daughter.
154. Angel
Angel is a common Christian girl name and means “a messenger of God.”
155. April
The name April has a Latin origin and means “to open.” It makes for a unique name for a girl born in the month of April.
156. Art
It comes from the Latin word “artem.” It is often associated with someone who is creative and imaginative.
157. Ash
Ash is a short form of the common name Ashley. This easy-to-pronounce name also refers to the Ash tree.
158. Aurora
According to Roman mythology, Aurora is the Goddess of dawn and sunrise. It makes for a lovely and unique name for your little girl.
159. Autumn
It is the name of the season and originates from Latin. This name is a popular feminine name in North America.
160. Barb
It is a contraction of the name Barbara, which has its origin in Greek.
161. Blessing
The name represents someone who has been a divine gift. Blessing has an English origin and is a common feminine name.
162. Bliss
Bliss has its origin in Old English and means “intense happiness,” “joy,” or “cheer.”
163. Bluma
The unique name comes from the Yiddish word “blum,” which means “flower.”
164. Bravery
Bravery means “to be strong and powerful,” and it makes for a strong name for your baby girl.
165. Breeze
Breeze refers to a gentle and calm current of air. It makes for a sweet and soulful name for a baby girl.
166. Brie
It originates from the Irish word “brigh,” which means “powerful” or “strong.” It is a popular name in North America.
167. Brooke
Brooke is a variant of Brook, which is a toponymic English name referring to someone who lived by a brook or a stream.
168. Cadence
Image: Shutterstock
Cadence originates from Italian and means “beat” or “rhythm.”
169. Camellia
It is derived from the name of the Camellia flower, which is known for its awe-inspiring beauty and resplendence.
170. Cameo
This unisex name has its roots in Italian and French, and means “skin.”
171. Candy
Candy is a shorter form of the name Candice, which is a popular American first name.
172. Carol
It is a contraction of Caroline, which comes from German. The name refers to a person with a strong will.
173. Cashmere
Cashmere is a type of wool from a Kashmir goat. It makes for a unique and modern name for a baby girl.
174. Cayenne
It comes from the name of Cayenne pepper and makes for a modern feminine name.
175. Chanel
Chanel has a French origin and is a toponymic name that referred to someone who lived by a channel or canal.
176. Charisma
The name Charisma means “charm,” and it has its origin in Greek and Latin. The name represents someone with a kind and graceful personality.
177. Charity
Charity comes from Old English and means “kindness,” “benevolence,” or “love.”
178. Chastity
The name comes from Latin and means “innocent and pure.”
179. Cherish
Cherish means “to treasure” or “to care for,” and it has its origin in French and English.
180. Cherry
It refers to the bright red fruit known for its tart flavor. It makes for an adorable name for your baby girl.
181. Christian
Christian is a common unisex name and is popular in many parts of Europe and the British Isles.
182. Christmas
Although it is a unique name, Christmas has been a popular choice in recent times. It brings out the joy and warmth of the season.
183. Cloud
The name cloud gives us an airy and cozy feeling. Even though it is a unisex name, it is more commonly given to girls.
184. Cookie
The name cookie refers to a sweet biscuit. It is of English origin.
185. Coral
A coral refers to a marine creature known for its beautiful and colorful reef formation in the sea and oceans. It makes for an awesome name for your precious little girl.
186. Crystal
Crystal is a common name and is of Greek origin. It represents someone who is pure and honest.
187. Dahlia
It comes from the name of the colorful flower, which denotes dignity and elegance. The name has its origin in the Swedish language.
188. Dawn
It refers to the moment the sun rises. The word Dawn comes from Old English and signifies the beauty of the sunrise.
189. Day
It is a short and sweet name for your precious little girl. It comes from Old English.
190. Desire
It means “to long for something,” and the name comes from Latin.
191. Destiny
Destiny is a popular American name and means “fate.”
192. Diamond
Diamond is a type of gem known for its high value and brilliance. It is an ideal name for your precious daughter.
193. Dolly
Dolly is the shorter form of the name Dorothy, which means “a gift of God.”
194. Dream
Dream is a serene name, which has been commonly used by famous personalities in recent times. It creates a sense of joy and is a mystical feminine name.
195. East
East is a modern first name, which is trendy and easy to pronounce. It has its origin in Old English.
196. Ebony
It comes from the name of the Ebony tree, which is known for its deep black wood. The name is associated with the beauty of dark color.
197. Eleven
The word comes from Middle English and refers to the number 11.
198. Emerald
It refers to the green-colored precious gem. The name has its origin in Greek.
199. Era
It comes from Latin and refers to a phase in time or an epoch. It makes for a modern name for your baby girl.
200. Eve
According to the Bible, Eve was the first woman on Earth. The word Eve comes from Hebrew and means “to breathe.”
201. Faith
The word comes from Latin and means “belief,” “trust,” and “confidence.” This feminine name can also be associated with faith in God.
202. Fantasia
The unique and modern name is the Italian word for “fantasy.”
203. Feather
The name Feather symbolizes lightness, freeness, and purity. It is a common name of American origin.
204. Fire
The name Fire is associated with fierceness and strength. It is a unique and bold name for your strong baby girl.
205. Flair
Flair refers to a person’s natural aptitude. The name has its origin in Old French.
206. Flame
Flame is another interpretation of the word fire. It also denotes fierceness, boldness, and strength.
207. Flora
The name comes from Flora, the Roman Goddess of plants and flowers. It makes for a traditional yet modern name for your baby girl.
208. Fuchsia
Fuchsia refers to a type of flower known for its beautiful shape and attractive colors. The name comes from German.
209. Glen
It is a unisex name and a variant of Glenn, which comes from the Gaelic language and means “valley.” The name also symbolizes happiness and joy.
210. Glimmer
The name glimmer means “to sparkle.” It denotes brightness, hope, and purity.
211. Glory
The sweet name for a baby girl comes from Latin and means “praise and worship.”
212. Grace
Grace is a very common Christian name, and means “a blessing.”
213. Hale
Hale is an Anglo-Saxon name, and comes from “haelaeh,” which means “a hero.”
214. Halo
Halo has its origin in Greek and Latin and refers to the disk made of light seen around a celestial object. It also refers to an aura, especially the one around an angel or a holy person.
215. Harmony
The word harmony means “a beautiful musical combination of chords.” It is a very common feminine name.
216. Hazel
Hazel is of English origin and refers to the Hazelnut tree. The name denotes authority and protection.
217. Heather
Heather is an evergreen flowering plant found in several parts of Europe. It denotes healing, success, and growth.
218. Heaven
Heaven means “home of the Gods,” and symbolizes purity and spirituality.
219. History
The word has a Greek and Latin origin and refers to a study of the past. The name symbolizes knowledge and intelligence.
220. Holly
Holly has its origin in English and refers to the Holly tree. It is a perfect name for a baby girl born during spring or winter.
221. Honesty
The word honesty denotes virtue, honor, integrity, and purity. The name has its origin in Middle English.
222. Honey
The Old English name refers to the sweet nectar. It is quite popular as first name and a nickname.
223. Hope
This beautiful and simple feminine name means “desire for fulfilment.”
224. Horizon
Image: Shutterstock
The name Horizon means “apparent edge of the land.” It is popular in parts of North America.
225. Infinity
Infinity is referred to as never ending. This name can denote the endless love you have for your baby girl.
226. Ivy
Ivy is derived from the Ivy plant, which symbolises faithfulness and fidelity.
227. Ivory
Ivory means “white” or “pale,” and represents someone with purity and innocence.
228. Jade
Jade is an ornamental stone used for making jewelry and showpieces. The stone symbolizes clarity and modesty.
229. Jewel
Jewel refers to any precious gem or stone. It makes for an ideal and different name for your precious girl.
230. Journey
The word Journey has its origin in Old French and Latin. A new journey begins when you have a baby, making it an ideal name for your daughter.
231. Joy
Joy is a common name and means “immense happiness” or “delight.”
232. June
It comes from the month of June, which is named after the Roman Goddess Juno.
233. Juniper
It comes from the name of the Juniper tree, which is cultivated for its berries and timber. The name of the tree comes from Latin.
234. Justice
The name Justice means “doing right,” and has become a common name for girls in recent times.
235. Kale
Kale is derived from the Germanic name Karl, which means a “warrior” or “hero.”
236. Culture
Culture makes for a sophisticated name for a baby girl, and it comes from Old Latin.
237. Lane
Lane means “a roadway” or “a path,” and it is a gender-neutral name. It is of American origin.
238. Liberty
Liberty means “freedom” or “right to exercise free will.” The name comes from Latin.
239. Lilac
Lilac is a beautiful shrub bearing a pale purple flower. The flower denotes happiness, love, tranquillity, and passion.
240. Lily
Lilly is a very common feminine name and is derived from the name of the Lily flower. The flower symbolizes rebirth, purity, and passion.
241. Love
Love is another word for affection and is derived from Old English. It makes for a common first and middle name.
242. Lucky
Lucky means “fortunate,” and is perhaps the finest name to give your baby girl.
243. May
May is yet another month’s name, which is also used as a name of a girl. It is derived from the name of the Greek Goddess, Maia.
244. Melody
Melody refers to a song or a pleasant music, and the name has its origin in Greek.
245. Mercy
Mercy has an English origin and means “compassion and virtue.”
246. Merry
Merry is one of the classic names for babies born on or around Christmas. It means “light-hearted and happy.”
247. Miracle
Miracle is a common girl’s name from Latin, and it means “marvel” or “wonder.”
248. Misty
The name misty means “full of mist.” It denotes a sweet and charming person.
249. Moxie
It is a name of American origin and means “free-spirited, energetic, and attractive.” It is a retro name still used by many people.
250. Nature
The word nature refers to the elements of the natural world. It is popular in many parts of North America.
251. North
It refers to the northern direction and has its origin in Old Norse. North is a name associated with purity and strength.
252. Ode
The name Ode means “a poem,” and it is also used for naming boys.
253. Olive
The name Olive is associated with the Olive tree. The olive branch is a symbol of peace and wealth.
254. Opera
Opera is a form of musical presentation usually in a grand theater. It is also a popular feminine name.
255. Panni
It is a variant of the name Anna, which comes from Hebrew and means “favor” or “grace.”
256. Patience
It was a popular name during medieval times. Patience means “calmness, endurance, and forbearance.”
257. Peace
The name peace means “tranquillity.” It is a unisex name, which is popular in many parts of North America.
258. Peach
It comes from the name of the Peach fruit and has its origin in English, German, and French. The name denotes a person who is sweet and adorable.
259. Pearl
It comes from the name of the precious jewel. The name denotes modesty and innocence.
260. Penny
Penny is the short form of Penelope, which means “weaver,” and has a Greek origin.
261. Pepper
The name Pepper means a “spicy berry.” It is a quirky and cute name for your little girl.
262. Petal
Petal refers to the individual components of a flower. The name denotes the softness and delicateness of a flower petal.
263. Phoenix
The name Phoenix means “dark red.” It symbolizes immortality and rebirth.
264. Pixie
Pixie is another word for fairy. It is also associated with being free-spirited, cheerful, and mischievous.
265. Poppy
The name poppy refers to the red flower of the poppy plant. It is a common first and middle name.
266. Promise
The name promise is an uplifting word, and it means “assurance” or “vow.”
267. Prudence
Prudence was a popular name during medieval times, and it comes from Latin. It means “good judgment, consciousness, and wisdom.”
268. Queen
The name Queen is of English origin and is used to denote an empress or any female sovereign.
269. Quill
It is derived from the name Aquila, which means “eagle” in Latin. The name represents someone who is strong and bold.
270. Rhythm
The name rhythm means “a flow of music,” and it makes for a special name for your daughter.
271. Rose
Rose is a very common name and comes from the name of the rose flower. Rose denotes grace, passion, and love.
272. Rosemary
Image: Shutterstock
It refers to the Rosemary herb, whose name means “dew of the sea” in Latin. The name symbolizes peace and remembrance.
273. Ruby
Ruby is a bright red gemstone. It is considered a birthstone for the month of July and is an ideal name for July babies.
274. Rue
Rue is the name of a herb and its name originates from Greek.
275. Saga
Saga refers to an epic story and the name comes from Old Norse.
276. Sage
It refers to an incredibly wise and sagacious person. It also refers to a herb called Sage, which is from the mint family.
277. Sandy
Sandy is a feminine form of Alexander, which comes from Greek and means “defender.”
278. Savvy
Savvy is the short form of the name Savannah, which refers to an open grassland with a few trees.
279. Scarlet
Scarlet refers to a type of cloth or a brilliant red color. The name symbolizes courage, passion, and joy.
280. Shadow
Shadow refers to the image casted when a body blocks light. The word has its origin in Middle English.
281. Silver
Silver is a precious metal, which symbolizes charm, spirituality, and wealth.
282. Snow
Snow refers to frozen rain and it comes from Old English. It is a perfect name for a winter baby girl.
283. Star
Star refers to the many luminous celestial bodies. It is an ideal name for a baby girl born in Christmas or winter.
284. Storm
The meaning of storm is “tempest,” and it comes from Old English.
285. Sue
It is a contraction of Susan or Susanna, which comes Hebrew and means “Lily.”
286. Sugar
It is a popular American first name and nickname, and symbolizes someone who is sweet.
287. Symphony
Symphony means “a musical piece for an orchestra.” It is a unique feminine name.
288. Tansy
It refers to a flowering plant and its name originates from Late Latin.
289. Tawny
Tawny means “golden brown,” and it comes from Old French.
290. Trace
The unique name has its roots in the Greek word “theros,” which means “summer.” It makes an ideal name for a baby girl born in summer.
291. Treasure
The name treasure is of Latin origin and refers to anything or anyone who is highly valued.
292. Trinity
Trinity refers to the holy trinity of the Christian faith. The Latin meaning of Trinity is “triad.”
293. Tulip
Tulip is yet another flower name, which makes a perfect baby girl name. Tulip symbolizes perfect love.
294. Unique
It comes from Latin and means “the only one.” Your baby is special to you, making this name apt for her.
295. Valley
The name Valley means “between the mountains.” It comes from Old French and Latin.
296. Velvet
Velvet is a soft fabric and also refers to the bluish-purple color. The name velvet denotes luxury.
297. Violet
Violet is a popular American name. It is a royal color and symbolizes sovereignty.
298. Virtue
Virtue is a feminine name with a Latin origin, meaning “strength.” It is associated with uprightness, excellence, and bravery.
299. Whimsy
The meaning of whimsy is fancy, playful, and extravagant. It makes for an adorable and quirky name for your little one.
300. Wonder
The name wonder means “surprising” or “amazing.” It has an Old English origin and is quite a unique name for your baby girl.
1. What are the benefits of giving a child a word name?
Even if a particular word is common, using it as a name can make your child stand out. Also, the name can be easy to remember for anyone. Some parents could choose a word name because they associate the word with some pleasant memory. For instance, if the mother’s favorite brand is Chanel, she could name her daughter after it because it makes her happy and excited.
2. Are there any potential drawbacks to giving a child a word name?
Some words or names could have alternate meanings, prompting insensitive individuals to pass snide remarks. For instance, the name Amazon is beautiful for a girl, but it is also the name of an e-commerce company, which could be used to tease a child.
3. What is the history behind the popularity of word names?
Like any other name, there is no way to know the origin of word names or how they caught up with people. However, in prehistoric times, the names of people were descriptive. So perhaps word names also originated from the same thought. For instance, if a mother found her daughter sweet, she must have named her ‘Sugar,’ hoping everyone found her child endearing.
4. What distinguishes a name that is a word from a name that is not?
A word name stands out because of its easy recall value and, in most cases, simple pronunciation. Names, such as June, Blue, and Day are easy to remember and pronounce.
5. Can a word name influence how a person is perceived?
No. People with the sweetest of names could be harboring harmful intentions, while people with tough names could be completely mellow personalities. A person can only be judged by their words and actions and nothing else.
You would always want to give your child a unique name so that they stand out from the crowd. These word names inspired by various things might not be seen in use commonly but have been around for quite some time. Names including Lily, Patience, Velvet, or Sugar might not be as commonly used as names as they are in the form of words. So choose a unique word name for your baby that reflects your feelings and their personality.
Infographic: Word Names For Boys And Girls
There is an ocean of words out there with beautiful meanings, which can make the perfect name for your little one. These may be the ones we use often or those we are not familiar with. So, if you want to give a name from the dictionary that has meaningful significance, dive in.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is the List of words having different meanings in British and American English: A–L. For the second portion of the list, see List of words having different meanings in British and American English: M–Z.
Asterisked (*) meanings, though found chiefly in the specified region, also have some currency in the other region; other definitions may be recognised by the other as Briticisms or Americanisms respectively. Additional usage notes are provided where useful.
A[edit]
| Word | British English meanings | Meanings common to British and American English | American English meanings |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA | The Automobile Association (US: AAA) | Alcoholics Anonymous | American Airlines |
| A&E | the accident and emergency (casualty) department of a hospital (US: emergency room, ER)[1] | Arts & Entertainment (name of a television network)[1] | |
| accumulator | rechargeable battery[2] (technical)
a type of bet[3] (US: parlay) |
one that accumulates, as a type of computer processor register or a hydraulic accumulator[2] | |
| ace | good, excellent (informal) | a one in a suit of playing cards someone who is very good at something (tennis) a winning serve in which the receiver does not touch the ball fighter pilot who has shot down at least 5 enemy aircraft an asexual person (slang) |
(v.) to perform outstandingly *; esp., to achieve an A (on a school exam) (n.) the best starting pitcher in a rotation on a baseball team |
| advert | (n.) a contraction of advertisement[4][5][6][7][8] (US: ad) | (v.) to turn the attention to or refer to something[9][4][5][6][8] | |
| advocate (n.) | Scottish, also Isle of Man, Channel Islands or South African, lawyer who appears in higher courts (rest of UK: barrister) | someone who supports or speaks for a particular position generic term for a lawyer (v.) to recommend or support |
|
| air marshal | a senior air force officer (equivalent to a USAF Lt. General)* | an undercover law enforcement officer on board a commercial aircraft, also known as a sky marshal | |
| à la mode | fashionable | with ice cream (ex. Apple pie à la mode) | |
| allotment | a parcel of land in a community garden | the amount of something allocated to a particular person | |
| alternate | (adj.) done or occurring by turns; every second, every other («on alternate weeks») (n.) one that alternates with another |
(adj.) constituting an alternative, offering a choice (UK usu. & US also alternative) («use alternate routes») «alternative», unconventional («alternate lifestyles») (n.) an alternative *; a substitute |
|
| amber | orange-yellow traffic light (US: yellow light) | orange-yellow colour fossilised resin a material used in the construction of some tobacco pipes’ stems (Amber) female given name |
|
| anaesthetist (UK), anesthetist (US) | physician trained to induce anaesthesia (US: anesthesiologist) | someone who induces anesthesia. | a critical care experienced graduate level educated Registered Nurse who is nationally certified to induce anesthesia |
| anchor | a position in a tug of war team device for mooring ships by providing a firm fix to the seabed (anchorman/anchorwoman) the last member of a relay team to compete |
a type of radio or TV presenter («a news anchor»). See news presenter for a description of the different roles of a newscaster, an American news anchor, and a British newsreader. A dowel or fastener, usually made of plastic, that enables a weight-bearing screw to be attached to a wall (UK: wall plug); Rawlplug (trademark) |
|
| anorak | a parka (slang) a socially awkward person obsessively interested in something (syn. US: geek, nerd; dweeb; etc.) |
hooded, rainproof outerwear that lacks a full-length zipper in the front (UK: cagoule) | |
| apartment | suite of rooms set aside for a particular person (rare), usu. rented housing unit in a larger building implying luxury (In other words, a narrower definition than the US.) (Overlapping with the rare usage in reference to stately homes or historic properties which have been converted into residential units.) | usu. rented housing unit in a larger building, regardless of luxury level (usu. flat in UK)– cf. s.v. condominium | |
| appropriate (v.), appropriation (n.) | to take (money) to oneself, to filch or misappropriate | to take (money) (there is considerable overlap but difference of emphasis) | to dispense (money), to budget |
| Asian | originating from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka (South Asian) | originating from the continent of Asia | originating from East Asia or continental Southeast Asia |
| ass | donkey slow-witted or stupid person, often in combination (dumb-ass) unpleasant or unthinking person (less common colloquially) («you ass») |
(often vulgar) buttocks (UK: arse); also, by synecdoche, the person («your ass is dead»); also (vulgar) anus (short for asshole) (vulgar) sex («get some ass») (adv.) a postpositive intensive (i.e., to add emphasis to an adjective) («He drove a big-ass truck») badass: someone of formidable strength or skill, e.g. «such a badass guitar player»[10] |
|
| athletics | Sport comprising the events in track and field, cross country running, road running and racewalking | Athletic sports in general, (e.g. College athletics) | |
| attorney | an agent or representative authorised to act on someone else’s behalf («attorney-in-fact», «power of attorney») (Attorney General) main legal advisor to the government |
(or attorney-at-law) a lawyer (UK: barrister (England, Northern Ireland, Wales)/advocate (Scotland) or solicitor, depending on the actual profession) (District attorney, prosecuting attorney) local public official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminals (archaic in Br. Eng. for lawyer) |
|
| aubergine | the plant Solanum melongena, or its fruit (US: eggplant) | an aubergine-like colour (US also: eggplant) |
B[edit]
| Word | British English meanings | Meanings common to British and American English | American English meanings |
|---|---|---|---|
| backside (n.) | posterior, buttocks | (as two words, back side) rear of anything[11][12][13][14] | |
| banger (n.) | a sausage, as in «bangers and mash» an old motor car in a state of disrepair (US: beater or jalopy) |
a type of firework | a particularly club-friendly beat or song a gang member (gang-banger) a party- usually a youth party |
| bang(s) | small explosions or reports; (v.) have sexual intercourse with (vulgar slang) |
locks of hair on forehead (UK: fringe) | |
| banker | a railway locomotive that temporarily assists the train hauled by another up a gradient (US: helper) | one who works in a bank | |
| base | foundation, starting point; many meanings in sciences, architecture, politics, military installation, etc.; see base | in baseball, one of the three places a runner can stand in safety; hence in many fig. senses, off one’s base (crazy), to get to first base (esp. in neg. constr., to get a first important result); more recently (slang), a metaphor for one of three different stages in making out (q.v.) – see baseball metaphors for sex; more s.v. home run | |
| bash | Have a go – to try to achieve something, as in «have a bash at this crossword» | to strike physically to attack verbally a party or celebration «they’re having a little bash this weekend» (orig. US, but now probably more common in UK than US) |
|
| bath | (pl.) swimming pool (v.) to bathe, or give a bath to, example have a bath (US: take a bath meaning bathe) |
(n.) plumbing fixture for bathing *(US: bathtub) (n.) the act of bathing |
(n.) a bathroom (esp. a half bath which has a sink and toilet but no shower stall or bathtub, or a 3/4 bath which has a sink, toilet, and shower stall, but no bathtub) |
| bathroom | room containing a bath (US: bathtub) or shower, other washing facilities, and usu. (but not necessarily) a toilet | room, in a home or hotel room, containing a toilet, related washing facilities, and often, but not necessarily, a shower or bathtub (Hence «Going to the bathroom» is a euphemism for relieving oneself, regardless of place, such as «I went to the bathroom in my pants»*) | |
| beaker | drinking vessel without a handle, or one (with or without handles) made of unbreakable plastic for the use of children (US: sippy cup) | flat-bottomed vessel, with a lip, used as a laboratory container. | |
| beater | person who flushes game from concealment so it can be shot at by ‘the guns’ something or someone that beats |
used car or bicycle in very poor condition (UK: banger) (slang) wifebeater (q.v.) a sleeveless undershirt (from the stereotype that poor men who wear them beat their wives, perhaps from Jackie Gleason in «The Honeymooners» TV series (50s/60s US) or more likely from the costume of the character Stanley Kowalski in the play «A Streetcar Named Desire») (UK: vest) |
|
| beaver | beard; a bearded man (archaic slang) | aquatic rodent known for building dams woman’s undepilated external genitalia (obscene slang) |
vagina (slang) |
| bender | derogatory expression for a gay man, referring to the act of bending over to permit buggery. | an expression for a binge drinking spree. | |
| bespoke | (esp. of apparel) made to the customer’s specification (US: custom-made, tailor-made) | pret. of bespeak | |
| bill | The Bill=the police (slang, poss. from Old Bill) | invoice; request for payment (also US: check, tab) a proposed law before it is voted on by a legislature |
a piece of paper money (UK: note/banknote) |
| billion | (very obsolete) a million millions (1012) (UK and US: trillion) | thousand million (109) (now standard in both UK and US) (traditional UK[citation needed]: milliard) (see also Long and short scales) | 109 |
| bin | (v.) to throw away. (bread bin) container for storing bread (US: breadbox) |
(1) a waste container (2) a usu. large receptacle or container for storage («a grain bin»; «Scrooge McDuck’s money bin») | |
| bird (np.) | one’s girlfriend or any young female (slang; getting rarer[15] and considered derogatory by some) prison sentence (slang) |
a feathered animal of the class Aves an aircraft (aviation slang) |
insulting hand gesture involving shaking one’s fist towards someone with knuckles pointing towards the person being insulted and the middle finger extended (used chiefly in «flipping someone the bird») (slang) |
| biscuit (n.) | baked sweet or savoury cake-like item, usu. flat, which is hard when baked and softens over time (colloquially bikkies for sweet biscuits) (US: cookie (sweet biscuit), cracker savoury biscuit) (to take the biscuit) to be very surprising (US: take the cake) |
a piece of wood used in joinery to join two larger pieces together | type of quick bread served with savory foods (UK: similar to a savoury scone, or similar in consistency to a croissant) |
| blinder (n.) | excellent performance in a game or race (slang) «e.g. he played a blinder» | either of two flaps on a horse’s bridle to keep it from seeing objects at its sides (UK: blinker, also used in US)
(wear blinders) (colloq.) state of being oblivious, unresponsive to changing circumstances. Myopic, tunnel vision. |
|
| blinkers | leather flaps on a bridle used to restrict a horse’s lateral vision*(US usu.: blinders) | lights on a car that indicate the direction about to be taken *(UK: indicators) | |
| block (n.) | a building (block of flats, office block) | a solid piece of something to obstruct (basketball) a blocked shot, or (plural) in the low post position near the basket, as in «on the blocks» |
in a city, the portion of a street between adjacent intersections or an informal rough unit of distance derived from the length of the same. The usage to mean a single large building was common in the Western US until the early 20th century. |
| bloody | expletive attributive used to express anger («bloody car») or shock («bloody hell»), or for emphasis («not bloody likely») (slang, today only mildly vulgar) *(similar US: damn («damn car»)) | having, covered with or accompanied by blood | considered a euphemism for more emphatic swear words |
| blow off | to break wind | to perform oral sex upon | to fail to turn up to meet somebody, to disavow or fail to meet an obligation (UK: blow out) («I’m just too busy, I’ll have to blow you off for this evening.») |
| bog (n.) | toilet (slightly vulgar slang) (bog off) go away (slightly vulgar slang, often jocular) |
wetland that accumulates appreciable peat deposits | A plot of artificially floodable farmland used to grow cranberries (a cranberry bog) |
| bogey | dried nasal mucus usu. after extraction from the nose (US: booger) (informal) | the score of one over par in golf | an unidentified aircraft, often assumed to be that of an enemy
alternate spelling of «Bogie» (nickname of Humphrey Bogart) |
| boiler (n.) |
|
|
A car (1930s slang) |
| bomb | a striking success; used in the phrases «go (like) a bomb» and «go down a bomb»; Go like a bomb also means, when used of a vehicle, to go very fast | an explosive weapon | (v.) to be a failure («the show bombed»); also as n. (n., used with the) something outstanding («that show was the bomb»); sometimes spelled da bomb |
| bombardier | corporal in the Royal Artillery – see Bombardier (rank) | crew member of a bomber responsible for assisting the navigator in guiding the plane to a bombing target and releasing the aircraft’s bomb load – see Bombardier (air force) (UK: bomb aimer) | |
| bonk | act of sexual intercourse, or to have sexual intercourse (slightly vulgar slang) (US: boink) | blow to the head (n. and v.) to suffer glycogen depletion in an endurance sporting event; see hitting the wall |
|
| bonnet | hinged cover over the engine in a car (US: hood) | hat tied under chin worn by a baby or (archaically) a woman | |
| boob (n.) | a mistake (slang); (v.) to make a mistake (US: blooper) | woman’s breast (slightly vulgar slang) | stupid person |
| boob tube | woman’s shoulderless, strapless top (US: tube top) | (the boob tube) television (slang) | |
| boost | to (figuratively) lift up; to improve, increase, revitalize. | to (literally) lift up, especially a person: booster cushion*, a cushion used to increase the height of a seat (esp. in a car) to steal, especially from a retail establishment (i.e., shoplift) |
|
| boot | storage compartment of a car (US: trunk) | footwear covering lower leg to kick something hard to start up a computer |
(Denver boot, car boot) device used to render cars immobile (UK: wheel clamp) to expel (UK: give someone the boot *)(«I have been given the Order of the Boot», Winston Churchill) to vomit (slang) to shoot up (with intravenous drugs) (ex: to boot cocaine or heroin; slang) |
| booty | treasure or the proceeds of looting | (African American Vernacular English, but widely appropriated elsewhere), esp. female buttocks as in «Shake that booty» (booty call) invitation to a sexual encounter (slang)[16][17] |
|
| boss | the person you report to at work | cool, totally awesome (slang) e.g. «That is a boss Zefron poster» | |
| bottle | courage («he’s got some bottle») (slang) (US: moxie) to fail to do something through fear («he’s bottled out», «he bottled it») (slang) to attack somebody with a broken bottle (slang) |
container for liquids (the bottle) alcohol, heavy drinking (synecdochical slang) |
|
| box | a gift in a box, hence Boxing Day genital protector used in cricket (US similar: protective cup) (the box) television set (slang) (US: idiot box, boob tube) a box stall in a barn any of various box-like structures, such as: signal box (US: switch/signal/interlocking tower) telephone box (US & UK also: telephone booth), more at call box witness box (US: witness stand) either one of the two marked areas adjacent to the goalmouth on an association football pitch (see here) see also box junction |
(n.) rigid container (v.) to attack using one’s fists (n.) general-purpose computer (e. g. «this box needs its hard disk re-formatted») |
any of various areas on a baseball diamond (as for the batter, or the pitcher, the catcher, etc.) female genitalia (obscene slang) * (box canyon) a canyon with vertical walls (boxcar) a type of enclosed railroad freight car (UK: goods van) a three-ball «frame» for one player in candlepin bowling (New England) the genital area (ex: kicked in the box; vulgar slang) |
| brace bracers braces | over-the-shoulder straps to support trousers *(US usu. suspenders, q.v.) | support that steadies or strengthens something else
devices for straightening teeth |
leg supports (UK: callipers) tertiary enclosing punctuation: { } (UK: curly brackets) |
| brackets | enclosing punctuation: ( ) (US & UK also: parentheses); more at braces | supports for shelves, etc. attached to a wall
enclosing punctuation: square brackets [] (US: brackets/crochets), curly brackets {} (US: braces) |
secondary enclosing punctuation: [] (UK: square brackets) |
| brew (n.) | tea | beer
coffee |
|
| brilliant | excellent, of the highest quality (rarely sarcastic) | very bright (of a light or a brain) very intelligent |
|
| bud | undeveloped shoot which normally occurs in the axil of a leaf or at the tip of a plant stem | marijuana (slang) hand-rolled marijuana cigarette (slang), compare joint shortening of ‘buddy’, used to address strangers assuming a non-existent familiarity (UK: similar: mate) |
|
| buffet | railway carriage containing a refreshment counter selling snacks and drinks, esp. on a train on which a full restaurant car (US: dining car) service is not provided | refreshment counter or bar;
a meal set out on a table, etc. for diners to serve themselves |
a type of sideboard |
| bug | insect of the order Hemiptera pathogen, bacteria, germ covert listening device (orig. US) defect in software (orig. in a machine) (orig. US) an enthusiast of something (orig. US) Volkswagen Beetle (v.) to apply a covert listening device (orig. US) (v.) to annoy (colloquial) |
any of various insects *(nontechnical usage) an important person («a big bug»); also, someone crazy (as in «firebug», a pyromaniac)* to go away, depart, also from a responsibility (used with out) (bug off) to go away (often as a command) (from UK bugger, q.v.) |
|
| bugger | (buggered) 1. broken, not working (typically of mechanical devices, e.g. «the engine’s buggered») (slang); 2. syn. for bothered (e.g. «I didn’t do it. I couldn’t be buggered.») (slang) (bugger up) to make a mess of something (slang) (bugger off) (imperative) go away, leave me alone (slang) |
(usually vulgar) to engage in, or someone who engages in, anal sex[20][21][22][23] a form of address for either a person or item, either jocular («he’s a generous bugger», «I finally found the little bugger!») or less so («he’s a mean bugger») (slang) |
term of endearment, often used for children (slang)
a bug (insect) |
| buggy | 2-wheeled horse-drawn lightweight carriage baby transport vehicle also called (UK) pushchair (US: stroller) any of various light cart or cars («a golf buggy») |
(slang) an automobile (orig. US) see baby transport for details see also dune buggy |
4-wheeled horse-drawn lightweight carriage baby transport vehicle also called (US) baby carriage (UK: pram) regional (esp. South) for shopping cart (UK: trolley) (marsh/swamp buggy) a type of motor vehicle for marshland (slang) caboose (horse and buggy) something obsolete (as from before the invention of the automobile) |
| bum | to engage in anal sex (vulgar slang) | to cadge («can I bum a cigarette off you?») (slang)
buttocks[24][25] (colloquial) (US: butt) |
hobo, homeless person poor quality (slang) to sadden (often used with «out») injured or lame («a bum knee»)[26] |
| bumps | a type of rowing race a method of marking someone’s birthday (see Birthday customs and celebrations) |
a set of small protuberances | |
| bunk | to be absent without authorization:
bunk off, to play truant from school (US: play hooky) |
type of bed, where two small beds are stacked on top of each other (UK bunk (up) with implies sharing a bed, rather than merely a room) nonsense as in «History is bunk» (from bunkum) |
group of plain beds used as no-frills lodging (UK: dormitory, q.v.); also used as a verb («I bunked with them in their room»; «The cabin could bunk about 18») |
| bureau | a type of writing table | a public office or government agency | a type of chest of drawers |
| burn (n.) | (Scotland and Northern England) narrow river, stream – more s.v. creek | wound caused by heat, or chemical agents, etc. | (n.) clearing (as in a forest) made by burning vegetation |
| bus (v.) | to travel by bus | to clear (as tables) in a restaurant; to work as a busboy | |
| butcher | (have a butcher’s) to have a look (rhyming slang: butcher’s hook=look) | to kill and cut up an animal for meat to kill messily, or someone who does so one who cuts and sells meat |
to make a big mess of things; botch («butcher it up»; «I butchered the spelling») |
| butchery (n.) | slaughterhouse, abattoir | a cruel massacre a butcher’s trade |
a botch |
| butt (n.) | (n.) the (larger) end of anything, a stub; also, a cigarette a sudden blow given by the head of an animal a large wooden cask a person mocked by a joke (v.) to strike bluntly (as with the head) (butt in) to interfere when uncalled for (orig. US) |
(colloquial) buttocks (UK usu. bum); hence butthead * (n.) (butt-in) one who butts in (v.) to cut off the end (of a log) (butt out) to stop interfering |
|
| buzzard | a bird of prey of the genus Buteo | vulture (slang) |
C[edit]
| Word | British English meanings | Meanings common to British and American English | American English meanings |
|---|---|---|---|
| calipers (n.) | (n.) A metal support for a person’s leg and/or ankle. (US: ankle braces, leg braces)[27][28] | (n.) An instrument for measuring external or internal dimensions, having two hinged legs resembling a pair of compasses and in-turned or out-turned points.[27] | |
| callbox (n.) | telephone booth (UK also telephone box) | roadside emergency telephone | |
| call for (v.) | to require or advocate | to predict or anticipate («The forecast calls for rain») | |
| campsite (n.) | area or park for people to camp in (US: campground) | spot for a particular person or group to camp, often within a campground (UK: pitch) | |
| can | (n.) small metal container (v.) to place in such a container (modal v.) to be able to |
(v.) to fire someone from a job (UK: sack) (n.) toilet (slang), jail (n.) buttocks[29] |
|
| canteen (n.) | food service location usually at a work place or institution (US: cafeteria) | a box with compartments for storing eating utensils, silverware etc. a military mess kit water bottle, typically used for military or camping purposes. |
|
| candy (n.) | (candy floss) heated sugar spun into thin threads and collected into a mass, usually on a stick; something pleasing but having little worth (US: cotton candy for both senses) | (v.) to sugarcoat, or boil with sugar (as fruit) to sweeten edible, sweet-tasting confection containing sugar, or sometimes artificial sweeteners, and often flavored with fruit, chocolate, nuts or artificial flavours; a piece of candy (UK: sweets, confectionery) |
(eye candy) (derog.) someone who is physically attractive (See also arm candy.) |
| canfield (n.) | a patience (solitaire) card game (US: Klondike) | a patience (solitaire) card game (UK: Demon) | |
| car (n.) | railway vehicle, only in combination (e.g. «restaurant car», except London Underground «carriage»)
(archaic) street tramway vehicle |
motorcar (n.) (UK, q.v.)/automobile | nonpowered unit in a railroad or railway train («railroad car»; «a passenger/freight/parlor/dining/baggage etc. car») (see s.v. motor car, trolley; UK: cf. s.v. carriage, coach, wagon) elevator (q.v.) cage |
| caravan | towed recreational vehicle containing accommodation (US: travel trailer) to take such a vehicle on holiday |
overland trading convoy | a type of minivan sold in the United States (see Dodge Caravan) |
| caretaker (n.) | one who takes care of a building, e.g. a school (US: janitor; cf. s.v. custodian) one put in charge of a farm after eviction of tenant |
one who takes care of someone or something stopgap government or provisional government |
one who takes care of real estate in exchange for rent-free living accommodations * |
| carnival | (n.) a street festival typically involving music, dancing and processions | (adj.) suggesting a festive atmosphere | (n.) a travelling circus or fair (UK: funfair) comprising amusement rides |
| carousel (n.) | a moving luggage/baggage display unit, most often at airports | a rotating fairground ride (UK: merry-go-round, roundabout) | |
| carriage (n.) | railway coach (q.v.) designed for the conveyance of passengers the conveying of goods or the price paid for it («carriage-paid»); «handling» |
4-wheeled horse-drawn private passenger vehicle | (baby carriage) baby transport vehicle featuring the infant lying down facing the pusher (UK: perambulator, pram) – more s.v. buggy a shopping cart (primarily in North Atlantic states) |
| carry on, carryon | (informal) have a love affair[30] | (colloquial) carrying-on, unruly behaviour (v.) continue (Keep Calm and Carry On) |
luggage that can be carried aboard an aircraft, bus, or train (UK: hand luggage or baggage) |
| cart | usu. 2-wheeled one-horse vehicle (as that used in farming) | a lightweight wheeled vehicle, as for shopping, serving, carrying baggage, etc. (UK: trolley) cartridge (primarily related to video games) |
|
| casket (n.) | a small box, as for jewels, particularly an antique | The type of coffin with upholstery and a half-open lid, any coffin | |
| casualty (person) | often, someone who has been wounded; hence casualty department (US: emergency room) | generally, someone who has been injured or killed | often, someone who has been killed; see also casualty insurance |
| catapult | small Y-shaped handheld projectile weapon often used by children (US: slingshot) | a type of medieval siege engine an aircraft catapult |
(v.) rise quickly |
| chaps [?] | men or boys (but increasingly used for people of either sex; in the singular it still almost exclusively refers to a male, «Guys» has become a more popular phrase in the UK) (US & UK: guys) one’s friends («the chaps») (US & UK: the guys) cheeks – as in Bath Chaps – stewed pigs’ cheeks, a delicacy |
leather leggings originally worn by cowboys and designed to protect the legs against thorns (sometimes pronounced shaps), short for «chaparajos», or the similar items worn by motorcyclists as a form of leg protection | |
| check | examine for a particular purpose a pattern of coloured squares a warning given in chess |
leave items in the care of someone else (e.g. at a cloakroom; hence checkroom) (also check mark) mark used to denote ‘correct’ or indicate one’s choice (UK: tick, q.v.) request for payment, especially at a restaurant; bill written order for a bank to pay money (UK: cheque) |
|
| checker | one who checks (e.g. an inspector) | a store or shop cashier (almost always a grocery store) (checkers) a popular board game (UK: draughts) to mark with alternating colored squares (UK: chequer) |
|
| cheers (interjection) | said to express gratitude, or on parting (slang). Also cheerio. | used as a toast or valediction | |
| chemist | pharmacist, pharmacy (US similar: druggist, drugstore) | student or researcher of chemistry | |
| chew | a chewy sweet[31] (US: taffy) | to break down food with the teeth, masticate (chew on something, chew something over) (colloquial) to consider or discuss [31][32] |
referring to or using chewing tobacco |
| chip in | to express one’s opinion (as in a conversation); to «chime in» | to contribute (as money) (orig. US) | |
| chips (food) | Long cuts of deep fried potato, usu. thick cut resembling American steak fries | French fries, in (orig. UK) phrase fish and chips | thin slices of fried potato*(UK: crisps) |
| chippie, chippy | carpenter (slang); fish-and-chip shop (slang) (Ire: chipper) |
(adj.; chippy only) aggressively belligerent, especially in sport | loose woman (dated slang); the N. American bird Chipping sparrow |
| chum | friend (sometimes sarcastic) | (n.) waste products from fish processing (heads, tails, blood etc.) often used for shark fishing
(v.) to spread fish entrails etc. in the hope of luring sharks. «We chummed the water all morning, but never spotted any dorsal fins.» Has some cross-over usage metaphorically in non-fishing situations. |
|
| cider | an alcoholic drink derived from apples (US: hard cider) | unfiltered, unpasteurized, unfermented apple juice[33] | |
| Cinderella | a team which underachieves, or is overshadowed by successful neighbouring rivals* | fairy tale character | a lowly sports team or individual which enjoys an unexpectedly good run in a tournament |
| city | a large town, in particular a town created a city by charter and/or containing a cathedral. (Some cathedral cities, such as St Asaph, St David’s and Wells, are mere villages.) «The City»: the City of London, London’s financial centre, hence financial markets and investment banking more generally (c.f. US Wall Street) |
A human settlement with a large population | a usually large or important municipality governed under a charter granted by the state (however some smaller towns in the US are cities); an element of a standard mailing address (UK «postal town») |
| clerk | administrative worker | (or salesclerk) store or shop worker (UK: shop assistant) hotel employee at the reservation desk (US & UK: receptionist) |
|
| closet | any small room (esp. Northern England, Scotland, & Ireland); hence water closet, a room containing a flush toilet, later the toilet itself | a private chamber for retirement in secret; (come out of the closet) to reveal what was secret (especially in relation to homosexuality) (closet queen) (colloq., disparaging) someone who keeps their homosexuality secret[34][35][36] |
a cabinet or wardrobe, as for utensils or apparel; in the latter case oftenest built-in; hence e.g. walk-in closet, linen closet, and skeleton in the closet *(UK also: in the cupboard) * |
| coach | bus with a higher standard of comfort, usually chartered or used for longer journeys* tutor, usu. private, who prepares pupils for examinations* railway carriage* |
enclosed horse-drawn passenger carriage sports trainer |
extracurricular sports teacher at a school (UK: PE teacher) lowest class on a passenger aircraft (UK: economy) |
| cob | (mainly Northern & Central Eng.) a type of bread roll («Chip cob», «ham cob», «pack of six cobs please») (pl.) large globules of sweat («I’m sweating cobs») |
The portion of a corn plant around which the kernels grow. a building material a type of horse a male swan |
|
| cock | (n.) form of address to a man to gain attention or greet e.g. «Wotcha cock!»[37][38][39][40] a popular personage e.g. Cock o’ the North (v.) (cock up) * to make a mess of things; cock-up[38] (n.) is the act or the resulting state of affairs (n.) a male bird; esp., an adult male chicken (US oftenest rooster)[41][37][38][39][40] (n.) nonsense[38][41] |
(n.) penis (vulgar slang) (v.) to set the hammer or firing pin of a loaded firearm ready for firing; likewise, to «cock the shutter» of an old, spring-activated camera (n.) A type of tap, faucet, or valve (e.g., a stopcock). |
|
| collect | To win a bet (from the idea of picking up the winnings) | (v.) to gather together, to pick up; (orig. US) to pick up a person or thing (n.) short prayer read during the first part of a church service as practised by certain parts of the Christian faith; mainly Anglican and Roman Catholic. |
(adj., adv.) charged to the receiver («to call collect», to reverse the charges) («a collect call») [from collect on delivery] |
| college | part of the name of some state secondary schools (US approx.: high school) and many independent schools (US approx.: prep school) | constituent part of some larger universities, especially ancient universities
educational institution between school and university (e.g. sixth form college (UK), technical college, college of further education (UK), community college (US)) vocational training institution (technical college in the US) professional association which usu. grants some form of professional qualifications, mostly in the medical field (e.g. Royal College of Surgeons, American College of Surgeons) |
an independent institution of higher education (as a small university or a division of a university) granting bachelor’s degrees generic term for higher education, but only at the undergraduate level |
| comforter | a baby’s dummy (q.v.) | one who comforts | quilted bedspread (UK: duvet) |
| commissioner | professional head of the Metropolitan Police Service and City of London Police (US: chief of police) | A civilian public official in charge of a municipal governmental department, and particularly of a police department member of any commission |
|
| commode | small cabinet portable toilet for use in a room without plumbing |
normal toilet, in a bathroom (q.v.) | |
| compensation | the act of compensating damages awarded for a legal wrong (workers’ compensation) payment to injured workers |
remuneration received by employees (unemployment compensation) compensation paid to an unemployed person (as a laid-off worker), arising from government resources |
|
| concession | reduction in price (discount) for a certain category of person | the action of conceding in politics, the action of a candidate yielding to another an area within one country that is administered by another |
a lease or grant of premises or land for a particular use, or the so contracted-out service, as in concession stand, i.e. a counter, stand or area at public entertainment venues where snacks or drinks are sold, often at inflated prices a concession stand |
| condominium | a political territory (state or border area) in or over which two sovereign powers formally agree to share equally dominium (in the sense of sovereignty) and exercise their rights jointly | (also condo) a type of joint ownership of real property (as an apartment building) in which portions of the property are commonly owned and other portions are individually owned; an apartment in a condominium | |
| constable | technically, a police officer of any rank, but usu. understood to mean a police officer of the lowest rank (one who holds no other more specific rank) (US: officer or patrolman) | peace officer in a township without an organised police department official who serves summonses (UK: bailiff or sheriff’s officer) |
|
| construction | the act or process of building or constructing; a structure; the construction industry from construe: the assigning of meaning to ambiguous terms |
road construction and maintenance work; roadwork («a construction area/zone») (UK: roadworks) | |
| cooker | an appliance for cooking food (US: cookstove, stove, range) a cooking apple, a large sour apple used in cooking |
a pot or utensil for cooking in («pressure cooker», «rice cooker», «slow cooker») | a person who cooks (UK: cook) |
| cookie | a bun (Scotland)
a biscuit of a particular variety, usually containing chocolate chips (often referred to as a «chocolate chip cookie») |
a small packet of information stored on users’ computers by websites | a small, flat baked cake *(UK usu. biscuit, q.v.) fellow, guy *(«a tough cookie»); also, an attractive girl * (that’s the way the cookie crumbles) that’s how things go (to toss one’s cookies) to vomit (cookie-cutter) trite, banal a cook or Culinary Specialist (Army and Navy slang) |
| cop | to take («cop a look at this», «cop one of these») (slang) to be blamed for, be caught («he’ll cop it!») (slang) |
police officer (short for «copper») (slang) (cop a feel) to grope (slang) |
(cop a plea) (law, orig. slang) to plead guilty to a lesser offence to not be tried for a graver charge; compare plea bargain (cop a squat) to take a seat (slang) |
| copper | low value coin, brown or ‘copper’ coloured (currently 1p and 2p coins) large copper vessel used for heating water and washing clothes (archaic) |
the metallic element copper police officer (slang, orig. UK) |
|
| coriander | the leaves of the coriander plant, used as a herb (US: cilantro or Chinese parsley) | the plant Coriandrum sativum dried seeds of this plant |
|
| corn | wheat in England, oats in Scotland and Ireland
any of various cereal plants or grains (US usu.: grain), also in combination (e.g. cornfield, a field of any cereal) |
in both dialects, the principal crop cultivated in a particular region Indian corn, in corn on the cob, corn flakes, popcorn horny swelling on the foot |
Zea mays; originally known as Indian corn (q.v.; UK usu.: maize or sweetcorn); hence cornfield, cornstarch (UK: corn flour), cornbread, cornball, cornblade, etc. something corny *, hence cornball |
| cot | infant bed; hence cot death (US: crib) | camp bed | |
| cotton wool | soft cotton wadding, used for cleaning wounds or make-up (US: Absorbent cotton, cotton ball)[42][43][44][45][46] | raw cotton[42][43][44] | |
| coulee | a (solidified) stream of lava | (chiefly Western, orig. Canadian) a deep steep-sided ravine formed by erosion, or a small valley or stream | |
| course | the entire degree programme a student takes at university | an individual subject a student takes at university | |
| court shoe | a women’s dress shoe with a heel (US: pump, q.v.) | a type of athletic shoe used for sports played on an indoor court, such as volleyball or squash (UK similar: plimsoll or regionally pump) | |
| cowboy | an unscrupulous or unqualified tradesman | a legendary archetype found in Wild West genre works
(derog.) one who is reckless, uncontrollable. |
a cowhand working with livestock (UK: drover) |
| cracker | small parcel that makes an explosive report when pulled from both ends, traditionally pulled at Christmas attractive woman (slang) anything good («the new product is a cracker») (slang) |
thin, hard, unsweetened biscuit (formerly chiefly US, now common everywhere)
a person who commits illegal acts by exploiting security flaws in a computer system |
an unsophisticated, typically rural white person (also white cracker; derogatory slang, southeastern US) |
| crèche | day care, day nursery | nativity scene, manger scene, crib (q.v.) * | |
| creek | tidal channel through a coastal marsh (orig. sense) | any inland stream of water smaller than a river (other terms: UK: rill, gill; N. Eng. & Scot.: burn; Eng. & New Eng.: brook; Midland US: run) | |
| crew | body of people manning a vehicle of any kind gang of manual workers (e.g. road crew) group of friends or colleagues («I saw him and his crew at the bar») |
rowing as a sport | |
| crib (n.) | nativity scene, crèche (q.v.) * | a manger or rack, or stall for cattle a plagiarism, as of a student («crib sheet») cribbage |
small enclosed bedstead for a child; hence crib death (UK: cot) (informal) one’s house or apartment a bin for storing maize a structure of logs to be anchored with stones; used for docks, dams, etc. (orig. Canada) a small raft of timber |
| crisp | fried potato slices with salt, sometimes with flavour (US: potato chips) | brittle, crunchy, dry, firm[47][48] | |
| crumpet | an attractive female (slang) | A savoury waffle-like cake made from flour or potato and yeast[citation needed] | |
| cubicle | A compartment in a bathroom with low walls that contains a toilet. (US: stall) | A compartment in a larger area separated from similar adjoining compartments by low walls, such as in an office area. | |
| cuffs | The ends of a garment’s sleeves, furthest from the wearer short for handcuffs |
An arrangement at the bottom of trouser-legs, in which the material is folded back upon itself to form a trough externally around the bottom of the leg. (UK: turn-ups) | |
| cunt | offensive (or sometimes indulgent) term often applied to men | vagina (usu. obscene) | offensive, obscene term usu. applied to women |
| cupboard | a place to store things (US: closet)[49] | a cabinet or small recess with a door and typically shelves, used for storage[49] | |
| custodian | an association football goalkeeper | a keeper or guardian of a person or thing | one who cleans and maintains a building; a building superintendent, a janitor |
D[edit]
| Word | British English meanings | Meanings common to British and American English | American English meanings |
|---|---|---|---|
| daddy longlegs, daddy-long-legs | crane fly | daddy long-legs spider | Opiliones |
| dead | (of a cup, glass, bottle or cigarette) empty, finished with very, extremely («dead good», «dead heavy», «dead rich») |
deceased completely, perfectly («dead straight», «dead on», «dead right») extremely quiet (e.g. business or nightlife) (dismissive usage) boring |
|
| dead beat, deadbeat | exhausted (slang) (US: dead tired) | an idler; someone who does not pay their debts, often in construction («deadbeat dad») (slang) | |
| DC | Detective Constable, a police officer who works in or with a branch of CID. | direct current (see also other expansions) |
District of Columbia |
| deck | (n.) the floor or level of a ship or other types of vehicles the roadway of a bridge a recording device (v.) to decorate for a festivity («deck the halls with boughs of holly», «decked out with flags») to hit a person hard enough such that they fall to the floor (orig. US) a pack of cards |
a wooden, raised platform adjoining a house, usu. enclosed by a railing a packet of narcotics (slang) (v.) to pile up (logs) on a deck of logs or a skidway (on deck) in baseball, the hitter due up next («Albert is on deck, so they must be careful to not walk this batter.»). A general usage connotes availability, e.g. «Who’s on deck?» (Who is available to do this?). Occasionally used to indicate who is next in line. |
|
| deductible | (adj.) able to be deducted or allowable as a deduction, particularly of tax[50][51] | (n.) an insurance excess[50][51] | |
| Dennis the Menace | a character and comic strip developed by Ian Chisholm and Davey Law, debuted in March 1951 (US: Dennis) | a character and comic strip developed by Hank Ketcham, debuted in March 1951 | |
| depot | a location (large building or piece of land) where buses, trams or trains are stored when not in use and maintained (pronounced /ˈdɛpoʊ/) |
a storehouse or depository; a location for the storage of military or naval supplies (pronounced /ˈdɛpoʊ/ in BrE, /ˈdiːpoʊ/ in AmE) A slow-release drug injection (usu. psychiatric) (pronounced /ˈdɛpoʊ/ in both dialects) |
a railroad station or bus terminal or station; also, an air terminal (pronounced /ˈdiːpoʊ/) |
| derby | rivalry between two sports teams of close proximity or that frequently meet, especially in football | a type of horse race; by extension, any organised race | a bowler hat |
| DI | Detective inspector (police) | Drill instructor (military) | |
| diary | personal calendar *(US: appointment book, appointment calendar, datebook) | personal journal | |
| digital radio | any radio that receives a digital signal | a radio with a digital display | |
| dim (trans. v.), dimmer (switch) | to reduce the intensity of a domestic, industrial or other light; hence dimmer (switch) | to lower a vehicle headlight’s beam, typically when approaching vehicles travelling in the opposite direction at night (UK: dip); hence dimmer switch (UK: dip switch) | |
| diner | one who dines | railroad dining car (UK: restaurant car) a type of restaurant, traditionally but not necessarily often resembling a dining car |
|
| dinky | small and cute[52] | disappointingly small and worthless[52] | |
| dip (trans. v.), dip switch | to lower a vehicle headlight’s beam, typically when approaching vehicles travelling in the opposite direction at night (US: dim); hence dip switch (distinguished from DIP switch) (US: dimmer switch) (n.) a pickpocket (slang) |
to lower into a liquid; esp., a sheep or dog in chemical solution; to lower and then raise | to use smokeless tobacco |
| dirt | substance(s) rendering something unclean incriminating evidence («we’ve got the dirt on him now») |
earth, soil *[53] [54] Used in special senses in American English, in combinations such as dirt farmer, dirt floor, dirt roof, dirt road[55] |
|
| diversion | circuitous route to avoid roadworks (US: detour) | deviation; recreation; tactic used to draw attention away from the action | |
| dock | water between or next to a pier or wharf (US: berth, also used in UK, or slip) section of a courtroom where the accused sits during a trial * |
(v.) to reduce an employee’s wages, usu. as discipline | constructed place to moor a boat or engage in water sports (largely interchangeable with pier or wharf, although often with a modifier, such as «ferry dock», «swimming dock», etc.) |
| docker | dockworker, stevedore *(US: longshoreman) | one who docks (as tails of animals) | |
| dogging | various kinds of public sexual activity | pursuing diligently or persistently, as a dog would | insulting in a persistent fashion, often referring to the dozens |
| dollar | 5 shilling coin or equivalent amount (obsolete; used in slang until the early 1970s, especially in «half-dollar»=half-crown, but some re-stamped Spanish dollar coins were used in the UK in the late 18th/early 19th century) | major unit of currency of the US | |
| dormitory, dorm | (n. or usu. adj.) (part of) a town where commuters live, usually dormitory town (US: bedroom or bedroom community) | (n.) large sleeping-room with many beds,*typically in a boarding school («a sleeping dormitory»; usu. abbreviated to dorm) | building with many small private rooms, as for housing the students of a college (UK: hall(s) of residence, hostel)
dormitory car — railway sleeping car |
| drape | (v.) to hang limply | (n., usu. pl.) curtain | |
| draw (n.) | an act of drawing, or something drawn a game result in which no player/team wins (also tie) to suck smoke from a cigarette etc. |
a ditch that draws water off an area of land a shallow valley or gully. (n.) |
|
| dresser (furniture) | a type of cupboard or sideboard esp. for kitchen utensils * | a chest of drawers, usu. with a looking glass (mirror) (UK: dressing-table) | |
| drop (of liquid) | several (fluid) ounces («just a drop of tea, please») (meiotic usage) | droplet (less than a milliliter) | |
| duck | a score of zero by a batsman in cricket, supposedly derived from the zero-like shape of a duck’s egg. Hence to «break one’s duck»: to score one’s first run. c.f. US: «get the monkey off one’s back»
a term of endearment |
(n.) a bird of the family Anatidae
(v.) to lower the head or body suddenly, to dodge |
(v.) Leaving very quickly. «He ducked out like five minutes ago» |
| duff | of poor quality non-functional (up the duff) pregnant (slang, originally Australian) |
a type of pudding coal dust |
vegetable matter on the forest floor
buttocks[56][57] |
| dummy | rubber teat for babies (US: pacifier), a feint (esp. in association football) | mannequin, especially for automobile crash tests fake, usu. legal idiot (slang) the contract bridge player who faces his hand after the bidding/auction |
|
| dungarees | sturdy protective bib trousers (cf. s.v. bib overall) | (slightly dated) jeans (blue denim jeans) | |
| duplex | composed of two parts two direction (electronical signalling) |
(or duplex house) an often vertically divided two-family dwelling * (or duplex apartment) an apartment on two levels * (duplex locomotive) a large steam locomotive with two sets of driving wheels |
E[edit]
| Word | British English meanings | Meanings common to British and American English | American English meanings |
|---|---|---|---|
| earth | safety connection of an electrical circuit, or to connect (an electrical device) to this (US: ground) | the planet Earth soil the burrow of some animals |
|
| efficiency | the quality of being efficient | (or efficiency apartment) a minimal often furnished apartment, similar to a studio apartment (UK: compare bedsit) | |
| el | (L) letter identifying a learner driver; see L-plate | the letter L | an elevated railway (as that of Chicago or the now-defunct Third Avenue El in New York City) |
| elevator | flap on the back of an aeroplane used to control pitch moving belt to transport grain, hay bales, etc. |
platform or cage moved vertically in a shaft to transport people and goods to various floors in a building (UK: lift) building for grain storage (in full grain elevator) (UK: silo) |
|
| elk | moose (Alces alces), the largest species of deer | wapiti (Cervus canadensis), the second largest species of deer | |
| engaged (adj.) | in use – of a toilet/bathroom stall (US: occupied; but the opposite is vacant in both); of a telephone line (US & UK also: busy), hence engaged tone (US: busy signal) | committed; involved in something betrothed |
|
| English | of or pertaining to England the English language |
(adj.) the foot-pound-second system of units[citation needed] (UK: Imperial) English (n.) spin placed on a ball in cue sports (UK: side) |
|
| engineer | a technician or a person who mends and operates machinery | one employed to design, build or repair equipment practitioner of engineering |
one who operates an engine, esp. a locomotive (UK: engine driver) |
| entrée | starter (q.v.) of a meal (traditionally, the course served between the fish and the joint, but now used for any starter) | (usu. «the entrée») right of entry, insider-type access | main course of a meal |
| estate | any defined area of real property, as in housing estate (US: subdivision), council estate (US: housing project) or trading estate (US: industrial park) car with van-shaped body (US: station wagon) |
grounds of a large piece of real property which features a mansion and beautiful landscaping; property left by a deceased person |
|
| evergreen | non-deciduous, a non-deciduous plant eternally youthful, new etc. |
(n.) branchlets or sprigs of an evergreen tree, usually a conifer such as pine, spruce or fir, often used as a Christmas decoration wrapped around human-made structures | |
| expiration | the exhalation of breath [58][59][60][61] | (UK: expiry)[60][62][63][64] |
F[edit]
| Word | British English meanings | Meanings common to British and American English | American English meanings |
|---|---|---|---|
| faculty | division of a university, dealing with a specific group of disciplines (e.g. faculty of arts) | academic staff of a school, college or university | |
| fag | cigarette (slang) * (in England; obs.) young public schoolboy who acted as a servant for older pupils drudgery, chore («it is such a fag – I come back tired to death» – J. Austen) |
male homosexual; vulgar slur (short for faggot) | In American English «fag» always has the pejorative meaning of male homosexual. Use of the Americanism in the media has rendered it contextually understood by Britons. |
| faggot | kind of meatball (see faggot (food)), old musical instrument similar to the bassoon (often spelled faggott) | male homosexual; vulgar slur (see faggot (slang)), bundle of sticks, usu. for use as firewood (old-fashioned; often spelled fagot) | |
| fall | to become pregnant. (as in ‘I fell pregnant’); | descend or tumble become sick, come down with an illness («he fell ill») (uncommon in US) prove attractive («fall for someone», «fall in love») |
autumn |
| fancy (v.) | (v.) exhibit a fondness or preference for something; exhibit an interest in or willingness to: date/court someone, commit some act, or accept some item of trade | US colloq. equiv. of «to fancy» is «to like» something or someone (or regarding tastes and preferences, «to love»); «fancy» as a verb is now used in the US almost solely by UK ex-pats, but was once oft-used by Southern gentility (landed gentry) | |
| fancy dress | a costume worn to impersonate a well-known character, animal etc., typically at a fancy dress party (US: costume party) | (colloq.) «formal» wear (usu. tuxedos for men and ball gowns for women.) | |
| fanny | vagina (slang), vulva (vulgar slang) (fanny about or fanny around, vulgar slang) to mess about or procrastinate («Stop fannying about and hit it with the hammer») |
buttocks (colloquial); hence fanny pack (UK: bum bag) | |
| featherbed | bed or mattress stuffed with feathers (usually 2 words)[65] (v.) to pamper, to spoil |
(v.) to require that more workers are hired than are needed, often by agreement with trade unions | quilt, or comforter, stuffed with feathers for use on top of the mattress (but underneath a sheet and the sleeping person) (UK: mattress topper) |
| fender | a fire screen a cushioning device to protect the side of a boat, ship, or dock a brand of electric guitar, from its manufacturer, the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation[66] |
fender (vehicle): the part of an automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle body that frames a wheel well (UK: mudguard or wing) a frame fitted in front of a vehicle (locomotive or automobile) to absorb shock (UK: bumper – see Bumper (automobile)) |
|
| fifth | ordinal number 5 one of five equal parts into which something is divided |
bottle of spirits («a fifth of bourbon»), traditionally 1/5 of a US gallon, now the metric near-equivalent of 750 mL
to «plead the Fifth (Amendment)», i.e. refuse to testify against oneself in an incriminating manner |
|
| filth | (the filth) the police (derogatory slang) | dirt, disgusting substance obscene material |
|
| first degree | the least serious category of burn (see article) | the most serious category of a crime; of murder, carries a lifetime prison- or death-sentence (also informal murder one; see article) | |
| first floor (of a building) | the floor above ground level (US: second floor) | the floor at ground level (often, but not always, the same floor as a building’s lobby) (UK: ground floor) | |
| fit (adj.) | (of a person) attractive, sexy (slang) | (of a person) in good physical condition suitable for some purpose (usu. followed by for or to) |
|
| fix (v.) | to make firm, fasten, or attach *(the original sense, no longer very common in US) to set or arrange (as a date) *(«A time has been fixed») |
to repair (orig. US) to sterilise (an animal) to manipulate usually underhandedly («To fix a fight by paying a boxer to take a dive.») |
to adjust or prepare, esp. food or beverage *(«I’ll fix you a sandwich») (esp. South) to get ready («I’m fixing to retire») to get even with (someone) [67] (fix up) to provide |
| flapjack | flat oat cake (US: granola bar) | pancake | |
| flannel | a cloth for washing the face or body (US: washcloth) | particular type of fabric/material used for the manufacture of trousers or suits, but more commonly recognised in America as a fabric used in warm winter night clothes and sheets | |
| flat | (n.) self-contained housing unit (US: apartment) (adj., of a battery) discharged, exhausted, dead |
(adj.) level and smooth structured at a single level, not hierarchical |
(n.) a flat tyre/tire * an apartment that occupies the entire floor of a small building (San Francisco and upstate New York); used also in phrases such as railroad flat |
| flip-flop | a type of footwear a type of electronic circuit |
an about-face or U-turn (UK also: about-turn), as in politics | |
| fluid ounce (fl. oz.) | liquid measure equal to 28.41 millilitres | liquid measure equal to 29.57 milliliters | |
| flyover | elevated road section (i.e. long road bridge, US: overpass) | ceremonial aircraft flight (UK: flypast) an elongated left-turn ramp passing over or under the whole highway interchange Flyover country is a term for (unsophisticated, poor, rural) middle America, as distinct from the ‘coasts’. |
|
| football | (usually) association football (US: soccer). Less frequently applies to Rugby football (espec. Rugby union in English private schools). | American football | |
| footpath | a paved strip for pedestrian use, especially along the side of a road (US: sidewalk) | a narrow trail suitable only for foot traffic | |
| forty (40) | the number 40 | a 40-acre (160,000 m2) parcel of land, specifically one sixteenth of a section, constituting the smallest unit of agricultural land commonly surveyed («back 40», «front 40»). an undeveloped plot of land (as on a farm, ranch, etc.) of unspecified size. in an urban or youth setting, «a 40-ounce beer». |
|
|
fourth |
next after third (e.g. the fourth person, fourth floor)
A musical interval |
one of four equal parts into which something is divided (UK & US sometimes also quarter, q.v.). (proper noun, used with the) short for The Fourth of July (America’s Independence Day) |
|
| fringe | arrangement of locks of hair on the forehead (US: bangs) | the outer area of something a decorative border e.g. on clothing holding an extreme political position («lunatic fringe») |
(rare vulgar; chiefly 1980s) vulva («He’s gonna get some fringe.») q.v., US: trim |
| frock | (or smock-frock) outer garment formerly common in rural Europe, see also overall
(also short frock) indoor garment for children and young girls * |
habit of monks and friars
(also frock coat) a style of gentleman’s jacket or coat, cut at knee length, usually worn as an outer garment. |
|
| frog | French person (insulting slang)* | an amphibian part of the mechanism of railway points/a railroad switch |
(Slang) A US Navy SEAL[citation needed]. Shortened from «Frogman» |
| full stop | punctuation mark used at the end of a sentence, sometimes used in speech for emphasis («Whom does he support? Arsenal, full stop!») (US: period, q.v.) | the state of automobiles barely moving in heavy traffic (also, a «dead stop») [68] | |
| furnace | large hearth or container for heating or melting metal, usually for an industrial process | principal domestic heat source in central heating. (UK: boiler) |
G[edit]
| Word | British English meanings | Meanings common to British and American English | American English meanings |
|---|---|---|---|
| gagging | (especially as in gagging for it) desperate, especially for sex (colloquial) | choking; fighting the urge to vomit («that was so disgusting, I was gagging») |
|
| gallon | 4.54609 litres (about 6/5 of US gallon) | 3.78541 liters (about 5/6 of UK gallon) | |
| gangbanger | a participant in a «gang bang», a group sex activity | gang member; group rapist | |
| garage (see also pronunciation differences) |
fuel filling station, e.g. «a Texaco garage» (also petrol station, US: gas station) a genre of music |
place where vehicles are repaired; building attached to or in the grounds of a residence for storing a car |
(parking garage) building serving as a public parking facility (UK: multistorey car park or just multistorey) |
| garbage (n.) | piece of nonsensical prose, sequence of meaningless words | household waste (UK «rubbish») | |
| garden (n.) | area around a residential structure (US: yard) | area within a yard (land) for growing plants or vegetables (UK: vegetable garden, vegetable patch) | |
| garnish | (n. (v.)) (to add) decorative or savory touches to (food or drink) (v.)to furnish |
(v.) to take (as a debtor’s wages) by legal authority | |
| gas | (n.) state of matter (see gas) (n.) natural gas (v.) to attack or kill with poisonous gas (state of matter) (v.) to emit gas (state of matter) |
(n.) gasoline, hence gas station (UK: petrol) (n.) gas pedal* (may be applied in the UK in the context of a driving lesson, for brevity; UK: accelerator) (n.) flatulence (n.) air trapped in the stomach or intestines (UK: wind) |
|
| geezer | gangster, man (esp. Cockney) | old person (derogatory; UK: old geezer [not derog.]) | |
| give way | to give the right of way (to vehicles, pedestrians, etc.);[69] hence give way sign (US: yield [the right of way] sign) | to retreat; to break down | |
| glass | (v.) to hit someone with a broken bottle or drinking glass [70] | (n.) a brittle, hard, transparent substance usually made from sand heated with soda or potash; (n.) drinking vessel made of glass | |
| glaze | general term for thin shiny coatings applied to food, painted surfaces, clayware, etc.; a glossy surface | a slippery coating of ice (also known as sleet, q.v.); a stretch of ice | |
| gob | (n.) mouth; (v., slang) to spit | lump | a large amount («gobs of») (slang—little used since the 1940s) a sailor |
| go down (fig.) | to leave a university (as Oxford) to come down (with an illness) |
to be accepted or remembered (e.g. go down in history) to fail, esp. of a computer go down on, to engage in oral sex |
to go on, happen (often a major event, e.g. a drug bust «it’s going down right now!» or «it went down last week». But also used as a greeting, «What’s going down?») |
| goods | items to be transported (as by railway) («a goods train») (US & UK also: freight) | useful objects or services; products; merchandising; personal property incriminating evidence («we have the goods on him») |
|
| gooseberry | supernumerary third person preventing a couple from courting (US: third wheel) | a green hairy summer fruit (Ribes hirtellum in the USA), (Ribes grossularia in Europe) |
|
| governor | boss (sometimes shortened to guv’nor), colloquial | a local official | the top official in a US state |
| government | the cabinet or executive branch (US: the administration) the political party supporting the cabinet in parliament |
the act or office of governing | the collective agency through which government is exercised (UK: the state) all such individual agencies (UK: the public sector) |
| Grading in education | a level of music examination («Guitar grade 4»). Usually refers to ABRSM or Trinity College London examinations. | (n. & v.) teacher’s assessment of a student’s work (UK also mark) | level or year of a student in elementary, middle, or high school («in 10th grade») (UK equiv.: year); hence grader, a student in a specified grade («a 10th grader») (grade school, the grades) elementary school see also Grade Point Average |
| grade (other) | (n.) a rating, degree, or level; (v.) to lay out in grades [US meaning generated grade separation and the idiom make the grade] |
(n.) slope, gradient, or elevation; also ground level («at grade», «over grade»); hence grade crossing (UK: level crossing) (v.) to level (as a roadbed), hence grader, construction machine for doing this * |
|
| graduate (v.) (education) graduate (adj.) (education) |
to finish university with a degree relating to a student at the point of gaining, or who has recently completed, a degree |
to move from a lower to higher stage; to effect change in steps; to mark with units of measurement or other divisions. | to finish studying at any educational institution by passing relevant examinations relating to a student taking a higher degree (UK equiv.: «postgraduate»), e.g. graduate school |
| graft | hard work | to join or connect two separate but similar items (typically in biology, especially medicine and horticulture) | a form of political-economic corruption |
| grass | an informant (often to the police) (to grass on) to tell on somebody (US: to squeal, narc) |
green ground cover marijuana |
grazing; to feed (livestock) with grass (UK: at grass, to put out to grass) |
| grammar school | a type of secondary school, normally a selective state funded school | elementary school (less common today) | |
| grill | to cook directly under a dry heat source (US: broil) | to question intensely (informal).
to interrogate. |
to cook over a gas or coal fire (UK and US: barbecue) a flat cooking surface a restaurant (freq. as «bar and grill») |
| ground floor (of a building) | the floor at ground level (US usu.: first floor) | lower of two floors that are each at a different ground level due to sloping terrain (UK: lower ground floor) | |
| guard | the official in charge of a railway train (US & now UK also: conductor) | to watch over for security one who guards a protective device one of two positions in basketball, usually players who are the best ball-handlers and shooters. Usually smaller than the forwards or center. Most common division is between point guards (playmakers) and shooting guards (more often score-first). |
military division used to help the country after a disaster
in (American) football, one of two offensive positions on either side of the center or a defensive position across from the center (nose-guard) |
| guff | extraneous or useless things, ideas, or paperwork/documentation; also to break wind («Have you guffed, Dr Watson?») | nonsense, insolent talk, back talk | |
| gum | cement consisting of a sticky substance that is used as an adhesive (US usually: glue) | a type of confectionery composed of chicle used for chewing the soft tissue around the teeth, or to chew something with no teeth (also, gum at) |
|
| gutted | disappointed and upset (informal) | past tense of gut: eviscerated; plundered; despoiled; made powerless or ineffectual (of a building) stripped of interior structure, leaving only frame and exterior walls (e.g.by fire) |
|
| gyro | (see also giro) | gyroscope | a sandwich, the Greek gyro, more familiar to Americans than the similar Turkish döner kebab, which is more common in Britain |
H[edit]
| Word | British English meanings | Meanings common to British and American English | American English meanings |
|---|---|---|---|
| haberdasher | a dealer in small items and accessories, as for sewing; hence haberdashery (US: notions) | a dealer in men’s apparel and accessories; hence haberdashery | |
| half | half pint of beer, cider or lager a single measure of whisky or other distilled spirit (used mostly in Scotland, derived from the Scots word ‘hauf’) |
fifty percent/0.5 times. | large bottle of spirits («a half of bourbon»), traditionally 1/2 of a US gallon, now the metric near-equivalent of 1750 mL; also «handle» as such large bottles often have a handle |
| halfway house | a place where victims of child abuse, orphans or teenage runaways can stay, a shelter | drug rehabilitation or sex offender centre. (Archaic) An inn halfway between two towns, still seen in many pub names. | a place for ex-convicts to live while readjusting to society. |
| hamper | large basket for food (especially picnic hamper, Christmas hamper) | to impede or hinder | basket for clothes that need washing (UK: Linen basket or laundry basket) |
| hash | number sign, octothorpe (#) (US: pound sign). Also ‘to make a hash’ of something is to mess it up. | hashish Hash (food), beef and other ingredients mashed together into a coarse paste |
|
| herb | culinary or medicinal herb, leaves of plants used to flavour food or treat ailments | any herbaceous plant | |
| highway | (chiefly in official use) public road; see Highway Code | (highway robbery) something too expensive; see also highwayman | main road (as between cities) (divided or dual highway) a road with two roadways and at least four lanes (UK: dual carriageway, motorway) (highway post office) in the past, a bus transporting mail that was sorted en route |
| hike | a usu. recreational walk | an increase in amount (as in wages) * (to take a hike) to go away (also used as a command) |
|
| hire | to rent moveable property (e.g. a car) *; rental (hire purchase) a purchase carried out over time by making regular payments (US: installment plan) |
to employ, recruit * | a person who is recruited |
| hob | the flat top surface of a cooking stove (US: cooktop) a part of a fireplace an elf |
trouble (as in «raising hob» – chiefly US) (UK has less common «playing hob») |
|
| hock | a German wine («down their four-and-twenty throats went four-and-twenty imperial pints of such rare old hock» – Charles Dickens) (US: Rhine wine) Hocktide, an ancient holiday |
hock (zoology) | pawn (n. & v.) («I can borrow a dime from the barber, an’ I got enough junk to hock for a blowout» – Jack London); prison (both from Dutch) * debt the end of a smoked ham * to hock-a-loogie, to spit (esp. mucus as opposed to saliva). |
| hockey | hockey played with a ball on grass (field hockey) * | hockey played on a hard surface (e.g. concrete) or indoors | hockey played on ice with a puck (ice hockey) * |
| hog | (dialect, also hogg) a yearling sheep | adult pig, esp. domesticated, castrated male reared for slaughter to take more than one’s fair share of something (road hog) motorist who holds up other traffic by driving slowly or out of lane; any bad driver |
motorcycle, especially a large one such as a Harley-Davidson (derived from Harley Owners Group, a club for Harley-Davidson motorcycle owners.) |
| hole-in-the-wall | automated teller machine, cash machine (informal) | a small, out-of-the-way place, as a restaurant, with a negative connotation. However, often used to preface a compliment, e.g. «just a hole-in-the-wall place you’ve never heard of, but they serve the best steak in the city.» | |
| holiday | see Bank holiday (often pl.) time taken off from work, school, etc., including the period between school terms (US: break, vacation) recreational trip away from home (US: vacation) |
day when people are generally exempt from work, school, etc. | see Federal holidays in the United States (the Holidays) the days comprising Christmas and New Year’s Day (and Hanukkah), and often also Thanksgiving (used esp. in the phrase «happy Holidays») festival, whether or not generally entailing a public holiday: «Halloween is my favorite holiday» |
| home | (noun): condition of domesticity, or one’s permanent and regular shelter, but not the physical structure or property. | In AmE widely used also to mean the physical structure and property, and references to them, e.g., «home loans», «homeowners», and «tract homes». This usage is overwhelmingly predominant in commercial language and public discourse, e.g. «the home mortgage crisis». | |
| home run | final part of a distance, final effort needed to finish (US: homestretch) | a success (from baseball) | (also homer) a four-base hit in baseball (slang) sexual intercourse; more s.v. base |
| homely | (of a house) comfortable, cozy, rustic (US: homey) (of a person) home-loving, domesticated, house-proud |
(only used of a person) plain, ugly | |
| hood | the folding fabric top on a convertible car (US: convertible top) | head covering forming part of a garment component of academic regalia |
hinged cover over the engine in a car (UK: bonnet) a contraction of neighborhood, especially regarding a poor neighborhood short for hoodlum, a tough, destructive young man, or generically any criminal |
| hoo-ha | argument | female genitalia | |
| hooker | in rugby football, the player position in the centre front of the scrum | prostitute (informal) * | |
| hooter | steam whistle or siren in a factory or other large workplace sounded as a signal for beginning or ceasing work car horn nose |
(hooters) female breasts (vulgar slang) | |
| hull | (Hull) Kingston-upon-Hull, a large city in the north-east of England* | the outer skin of a ship, tank, aeroplane, etc. | the seed-case of various edible plants (maize, nuts, etc.) (v.t.) to remove the seed-case from (a nut, etc.) hulled (adj.) (of a nut, etc.) having the seed-case removed (UK: shelled) |
| hump | a state of depression (dated) («to be in a hump») a state of annoyance («to get the hump») a traffic calming tool («a speed hump») *(US & UK: speed bump) to move a heavy load by human effort a short distance |
a rounded mass sticking out from its surroundings (v., vulgar slang) engage in sexual intercourse, animals breeding or trying to breed see also Glossary of rail terminology |
(n. & v.) (to make) a vigorous effort («hump yourself», «to get a hump on») (regional) (n.) a mountain barrier to be crossed (as by air) (hump day) Wednesday |
I[edit]
| Word | British English meanings | Meanings common to British and American English | American English meanings |
|---|---|---|---|
| icebox | cabinet containing ice for food refrigeration | refrigerator | |
| Indian corn | Zea mays (historical or technical; usually, UK maize or sweetcorn, US corn, q.v.) | A particular variety of maize/corn, with multicolored kernels, used for decorations | |
| indicator | direction-indicator light on a vehicle (US: turn signal) | one that indicates | |
| inspector (police) | lowest supervisory rank above sergeant (rough US equivalent: lieutenant) | senior rank in some police departments (rough UK equivalent: superintendent) | |
| inside lane | the part of the road nearest the edge, used especially by slower-moving vehicles (US: outside lane) | (in both cases the term applies to the lane in the direction concerned) | the part of the road nearest the vehicles going in the opposite direction, used especially by faster vehicles (UK: outside lane) |
| intern | (n.) (rare or obsolete) a person living in an institution; esp. a pupil who is resident at a school, a boarder.[71]
The American graduate usage is becoming more common in the UK, sometimes replacing the term «work placement».[72][73] |
(v.) to confine (as during a war, or to a hospital) (adj., archaic) internal |
(n.) one (as a graduate or college student) temporarily employed for practical training, e.g. in the science, engineering, or technology fields; esp., in the medical field, a physician (rough UK equivalent: houseman) in their first year of postgraduate training (v.) to work as an intern |
| international | a contest between national sports teams or representatives; a member of such a team[74][75] | Pertaining to or common to more than one country. | Foreign, not from the US. («International version of software for country xxx«, in British English this is a contradiction in terms.) |
| interval | break between two performances or sessions, as in theatre (US: intermission) | a gap in space or time; see interval (music), interval (mathematics), interval (time) | (esp. New England, also spelled intervale) low-lying land, as near a river (US also bottomland) |
| inventory | itemisation of goods or objects (of an estate, in a building, etc.) | the stock of an item on hand in a store or shop the process of producing an inventory in a store or shop (UK: stocktaking) |
|
| IRA | Irish Republican Army [not abbreviated in US without context] | Individual Retirement Account |
J[edit]
| Word | British English meanings | Meanings common to British and American English | American English meanings |
|---|---|---|---|
| jab | an injection with a hypodermic needle, as in the case of an inoculation (US: shot) | (informal) to stab, thrust, or penetrate. biting remark, sarcasm. a straight punch used in various martial arts |
|
| janitor | an officer in a Masonic Chapter (specialist language) | a person employed to oversee the cleaning and security of a public building, e.g. a school. | a person employed to oversee the cleaning and security of a building (UK: caretaker, especially for private residences; for schools etc. janitor is also used in the UK) |
| jelly | a fruit flavoured dessert set with gelatin (US: Jell-O (trademark)) a type of condiment, e.g. mint jelly |
a clear or translucent preserve made from the liquid of fruits boiled in sugar and set with pectin, specifically without pieces of fruit (e.g. ‘crab apple jelly’) | (occasionally) fruit preserve with fruit pieces (UK: Jam) |
| Jersey | A British Crown dependency off the coast of France.
Also, a kind of buttonless, pullover shirt. |
An athlete’s uniform shirt, also called a kit in British English. | A colloquial term for the state of New Jersey |
| Jesse | (often as Big Jesse, derogatory insult for a man) Non-macho, effeminate, sometimes gay. | A male name (uncommon in the UK). A shortening of the female name Jessica (usually spelled «Jessie»). |
|
| jock | a Scotsman (slang) a Scottish private soldier (slang) (UK: squaddie) |
slang term for an athlete slang term for the undergarment called an athletic supporter or jockstrap |
|
| joint | piece of meat for carving * (slang) hand-rolled cigarette containing cannabis and tobacco |
connection between two objects or bones an establishment, especially a disreputable one («a gin joint»; «let’s case the joint») (slang, orig. US) |
(slang) hand-rolled cigarette containing only cannabis (slang) prison («in the joint») |
| jolly | very (informal) (as in jolly good) an excursion or trip, usually at another’s expense («off on a jolly») |
happy; jovial | |
| jug | any container with a handle and a mouth or spout for liquid (US: pitcher) | (jugs) breasts (slang) | large container with a narrow mouth and handle for liquids (similar to UK pitcher) |
| jumper | a knitted upper body garment (US: sweater) | jump shot in basketball Non-permanent electrical connection, especially on a PCB |
pinafore dress jump suit jumper cable |
| jumping jack | a form of jumping firework[76] | a toy figure whose limbs are moved by string or a stick[76] | a form of exercise (UK star jump)[76] |
| just | (When used at the end of a sentence, as in: «I survived, but only just») barely | fair, equitable merely, simply, exactly, barely (when used before word it modifies) |
K[edit]
| Word | British English meanings | Meanings common to British and American English | American English meanings |
|---|---|---|---|
| kebab | commonly a döner kebab (sometimes doner or donner kebab), strips of meat (usu. lamb or chicken) grilled by being heated on a revolving device and served stuffed in a pita bread (In the US, the Greek varieties souvlaki or gyro are better known than the Turkish döner) | (often spelled «kabob» in the US) meat served on a skewer together with onions, tomatoes, etc. (e.g. shish kebab) | |
| keen | very low or competitive (price) | eager or intent on, example: he is keen to get to work on time. | desirable or just right, example: «peachy keen» – «That’s a pretty keen outfit you’re wearing.» (slang going out of common usage) |
| keeper | a curator or a goalkeeper | one that keeps (as a gamekeeper or a warden) | a type of play in American football («Quarterback keeper»)
a person well-suited for a successful, usu. romantic, relationship. (Don’t let him go—he’s a keeper) |
| kit | clothing, esp. a sports uniform (e.g. football kit) | any of various sets of equipment or tools a set of parts to be assembled, e.g. into a scale model |
a group of person or objects («the whole kit and (ca) boodle/billing») |
| kitty | affectionate term for a housecat
collective source of funds (esp. for a group of people) |
piggy bank vagina (vulgar slang) («Singin’ ‘hey diddle diddle’ with your kitty in the middle» – Aerosmith, Walk this Way) |
|
| knickers | women’s underwear (US: panties) | knickerbockers | |
| knob | The penis, or specifically the glans (slang, vulgar) («polishing the knob» * ) | a rounded door handle
fool, idiot, dim-witted person |
|
| knock over | to tip over something
to cause an object to fall over. |
to rob (esp. a store, slang) («He knocked over a gas station.») | |
| knock up | to practise before tennis to awaken or summon by knocking |
to prepare quickly («Knock us up something to eat» — L.M. Alcott) to impregnate, esp. unintentionally* (slang, sometimes vulgar) |
L[edit]
| Word | British English meanings | Meanings common to British and American English | American English meanings |
|---|---|---|---|
| ladder | a run (vertical split) in the fabric of tights | a vertical or inclined set of rungs or steps. | |
| lavatory | toilet | closet in passenger vehicles (e.g. trains) containing a toilet and washbasin/sink. | washbasin, place for washing |
| lay by (v.), lay-by (n.) | (n.) roadside parking or rest area for drivers (US: rest stop) | (v.) to lay aside to stow |
(n.) a last cultivating in the growing of a crop (v.) to cultivate (a crop) for the last time |
| lead | (rhyming with «speed») a cable (US: cord), or a dog’s leash | to guide through | (n.) a clue or potential source of information (esp. in context of journalistic investigation) * |
| leader | newspaper editorial main violin in an orchestra (US: concertmaster) see also Leader of the Opposition |
one who leads | a pipe for carrying water («rain water leader») |
| lecturer | the entry-level academic rank at a university (below Senior Lecturer, Reader, and Professor) | someone who gives a lecture | the entry-level academic rank at a university (below Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor) |
| lemonade | clear, carbonated, lemon-flavoured drink similar to Sprite and 7 Up (lemon and lime flavoured) | non-carbonated drink made by mixing lemon juice, sugar, and water (UK: traditional lemonade) | |
| let | to rent out (as real property, and denoting the transaction from the owner’s perspective); Tenants «take» or «rent» the property being let. *(«rooms to let»)
(n.) the act of renting; rented premises |
allow, give permission. leave (as in let him be or let it be) ease (as in let up on the accelerator) indicate (as in don’t let on) a first bad serve which is allowed to be retaken, as in tennis, table tennis, and volleyball |
(let out) to end (of school, meetings, etc.) |
| levee | an early afternoon assembly held by the King or Queen, to which only men were admitted (Always levée, with accent) | a reception in honour of a particular person | an embankment on a river (as the Mississippi River) the steep bank of a river, or border of an irrigated field (esp. Southern & Western US) a landing place or quay |
| leverage | mechanical advantage of a lever | take advantage of a capability (business) the use of debt finance (UK: gearing)* knowledge not immediately revealed to be used to one’s advantage * |
|
| liberal (politics) | a person who generally supports the ideas of the UK Liberal Democrats, a centre-left party | a person who holds the political ideals of Liberalism. | a person who advocates modern liberalism; see also Liberalism in the United States for historic background |
| life preserver | a type of weapon for self-defence (US: blackjack) | life vest, personal flotation device (UK: lifebelt or lifejacket) | |
| lift (n.) | platform or cage moved vertically in a shaft to transport people and goods to various floors in a building (US: elevator) | ride as a passenger in a vehicle (as in, to give someone a lift) item placed in shoe to increase the height of the wearer, normally plural (lifts, elevator shoes) |
an elevation in mood, «I got a lift just talking with her.» |
| line | (see also track) | a breadthless length | a group of persons, usually waiting for something, arranged in order of arrival (UK: queue) a lie, short for a line of bull a phrase used for hitting on women, short for pickup line to hit a line drive (a hard straight shot) in baseball |
| liquor | the broth resulting from the prolonged cooking of meat or vegetables. Green liquor is traditionally served with pie and mash in the East End of London | a distilled beverage * (hard liquor) strongly alcoholic beverage; spirits (liquor store) retail establishment selling liquor (usu. for consumption off the premises) (UK similar: off-licence) («I held up and robbed a hard liquor store» – Paul Simon) (malt liquor) a type of beer with high alcohol content |
|
| loaded | the state of a firearm with bullets or shells in its firing chamber. bearing a load. (slang; of a person) rich |
drunk or high | |
| lolly | Frozen water-based dessert on a stick (US: popsicle). | (short for lollipop) candy on a stick. | |
| lot | (a lot) a great deal a number of things (or, informal, people) taken collectively fate, fortune a prize in a lottery (the lot) the whole thing |
a measured plot of land; a portion of land set for a particular purpose («a building lot»), e.g. for parking («parking lot») or selling («used car lot») automotive vehicles. But also a «vacant lot» a film studio |
|
| lounge | a room for relaxation and entertainment in a house (lounge bar) part of a pub |
a room for relaxation in a public place | a bar |
| love (in addressing people) | informal term of address | beloved person, darling (often a term of endearment) | |
| loveseat | a seat which accommodates two people facing in opposite directions. Can be wooden or padded. | a two-seater couch | |
| lox | liquid oxygen (engineering) | thin-sliced smoked salmon, commonly consumed on bagels; Yiddish from German ‘Lachs’, salmon. | |
| lugs (n.) | ears (lugholes) | a small projection (engineering) | a lug nut fastens a wheel to the hub, (UK wheel nut). a «big lug» is usually a term of endearment for a large shy, goofy man. |
| lumber | (n.) disused items (as furniture)*; hence lumber room (v.) to encumber (as with such items) («I was lumbered with work») |
(v.) to move awkwardly or heavily («he lumbered out the door») | (n.) timber that has been sawed and (partly) prepared for construction or woodworking; hence lumberyard (UK: timberyard), lumber camp, lumberjack, lumberman, lumber wagon, lumber town, etc. (v.) to log and prepare timber to make a rolling sound (dated) |
| lush (slang; of a person) | attractive (usu. used by women in reference to men – principally West Country) | luxuriant | an alcoholic *especially female |
See also[edit]
- List of words having different meanings in British and American English: M–Z
- List of American words not widely used in the United Kingdom
- List of British words not widely used in the United States
References[edit]
- ^ a b «A&E – Definition by AcronymFinder». acronymfinder.com. 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
- ^ a b «accumulator – definition of accumulator by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia». thefreedictionary.com. 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
- ^ Rajeev Shah (2008-07-10). Sports Arbitrage – How to Place Riskless Bets & Create Tax-Free Investments. ISBN 9781409204787. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
- ^ a b «Advert definition and meaning — Collins English Dictionary». www.collinsdictionary.com.
- ^ a b «advert — Definition of advert in English by Oxford Dictionaries». Oxford Dictionaries — English. Archived from the original on September 24, 2016.
- ^ a b «Definition of ADVERT». www.merriam-webster.com.
- ^ «advert (noun) definition and synonyms — Macmillan Dictionary». www.macmillandictionary.com.
- ^ a b «advert — meaning of advert in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English — LDOCE». www.ldoceonline.com.
- ^ «Chambers – Search Chambers».
- ^ Merriam-Webster Dictionary
- ^ Heard, Linda S. «Romney’s no rock star». Al Arabiya News. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
- ^ Jukes, Peter (2012-07-27). «Mitt Romney’s London Gaffes Unite Divided Britons—Against Him». The Daily Beast. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
- ^ Piazza, Jo. «The ABCs of Mitt’s terrible, no good, very bad trip abroad». Current. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
- ^ Gabatt, Adam (2012-07-26). «Oh, Mitt: those Romney gaffes in full». Guardian. London. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
- ^ George Harrison in «A Hard Day’s Night», 1964: «Oh!You mean that posh bird who gets everything wrong?» http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/A_Hard_Day’s_Night_(film)
- ^ «booty call: definition of booty call in Oxford dictionary (British & World English)». Oxforddictionaries.com. 2014-06-25. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
- ^ «Booty call — Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary». Merriam-webster.com. 2012-08-31. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
- ^ «brace: definition of brace in Oxford dictionary (American English)». Oxforddictionaries.com. 2013-09-26. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
- ^ «Brace — Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary». Merriam-webster.com. 2012-08-31. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
- ^ «Search Chambers — Free English Dictionary». Chambers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2014-06-23. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
- ^ «Always Free Online». Collins English Dictionary. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
- ^ «bugger: definition of bugger in Oxford dictionary (British & World English)». Oxforddictionaries.com. 2014-06-25. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
- ^ «Bugger — Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary». Merriam-webster.com. 2012-08-31. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
- ^ «Definition of BUM». www.merriam-webster.com.
- ^ Ltl.Oxf.Dict.2002 ISBN 0198604521
- ^ «Bum definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary».
- ^ a b «caliper — Definition of caliper in English by Oxford Dictionaries». Oxford Dictionaries — English. Archived from the original on May 18, 2018.
- ^ Fleming, Amy (12 December 2017). «Samantha Fox on fame at 16, stalkers and David Cassidy: ‘I kneed him and told him where to go’«. The Guardian.
- ^ «Can | Definition of Can by Merriam-Webster». Merriam-webster.com. 2016-03-17. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
- ^ Stevenson, Angus; Elliott, Julia; Jones, Richard (2002). Little Oxford Dictionary. ISBN 978-0198604525.
- ^ a b «chew: definition of chew in Oxford dictionary (British & World English)». Oxforddictionaries.com. 2014-06-25. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
- ^ «www.chambersharrap.co.uk». www.chambersharrap.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
- ^ «Cider Juice Difference». Mass.gov. Retrieved 2014-06-29.
- ^ «Closet queen | Define Closet queen at Dictionary.com». Dictionary.reference.com. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
- ^ «Closet queen — Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary». Merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
- ^ «Search Chambers — Free English Dictionary». Chambers.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
- ^ a b «cock». Cambridge Dictionary. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
- ^ a b c d «cock». Oxford English Dictionary. Archived from the original on August 20, 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
- ^ a b «cock». Longman Dictionary. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
- ^ a b «cock — definition and synonyms». Macmillan Dictionary. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
- ^ a b «Definition of ‘cock’«. Collins Dictionary. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
- ^ a b «Cotton wool definition and meaning — Collins English Dictionary». www.collinsdictionary.com.
- ^ a b «cotton wool — Definition of cotton wool in English by Oxford Dictionaries». Oxford Dictionaries — English. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017.
- ^ a b «Definition of COTTON WOOL». www.merriam-webster.com.
- ^ «cotton wool (noun) definition and synonyms — Macmillan Dictionary». www.macmillandictionary.com.
- ^ «cotton wool — meaning of cotton wool in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English — LDOCE». www.ldoceonline.com.
- ^ «crisp: definition of crisp in Oxford dictionary (British & World English)». Oxforddictionaries.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
- ^ «Crisp — Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary». Merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
- ^ a b «Cupboard definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary».
- ^ a b «deductible — Definition of deductible in English by Oxford Dictionaries». Oxford Dictionaries — English. Archived from the original on September 26, 2016.
- ^ a b «Definition of DEDUCTIBLE». www.merriam-webster.com.
- ^ a b «dinky». dictionary.cambridge.org.
- ^ «dirt». dictionary.cambridge.org.
- ^ «dirt | meaning of dirt in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English | LDOCE». www.ldoceonline.com.
- ^ Horwill, H.W. (1944). A Dictionary of Modern American Usage (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-869109-9.
- ^ «DUFF | English meaning — Cambridge Dictionary».
- ^ «duff | meaning of duff in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English | LDOCE».
- ^ «www.chambersharrap.co.uk». Chambersharrap.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
- ^ «Definition of expiration». Collins English Dictionary. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
- ^ a b «expiration: definition of expiration in Oxford dictionary (British & World English)». Oxforddictionaries.com. 2013-09-26. Retrieved 2013-10-01.[dead link]
- ^ «Expiration — Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary». Merriam-webster.com. 2012-08-31. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
- ^ «expiry noun — definition in the British English Dictionary & Thesaurus — Cambridge Dictionaries Online». Dictionary.cambridge.org. 2013-09-24. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
- ^ «expiration — Definition from Longman English Dictionary Online». Ldoceonline.com. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
- ^ «expiration — definition of expiration by Macmillan Dictionary». Macmillandictionary.com. 2013-09-23. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
- ^ «feather bed — Definition of feather bed in English by Oxford Dictionaries». Oxford Dictionaries — English. Archived from the original on March 4, 2018.
- ^ «Definition of «fender»«. Collins English Dictionary. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
- ^ «ClichéSite.com — The largest collection of clichés or cliches, phrases and sayings with definitions and explanations». Clichesite.com. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
- ^ danryanexpressway.com. «danryanexpressway.com». danryanexpressway.com. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
- ^ Give way is also used in this sense as a nautical term in the US.
- ^ «glass, v. : Oxford English Dictionary». Oed.com. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
- ^ Kirkpatrick, E. M., ed. (1983). Chambers 20th Century Dictionary. Chambers. p. 658. ISBN 978-0550102348.
- ^ «intern — Definition of intern in English by Oxford Dictionaries». Oxford Dictionaries — English. Archived from the original on December 23, 2017.
- ^ Dimoldenberg, Amelia (19 July 2017). «Work experience wisdom: five tips from a serial intern». The Guardian.
- ^ «International definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary». www.collinsdictionary.com.
- ^ «International | Definition of International by Oxford Dictionary on Lexico.com also meaning of International». Lexico Dictionaries | English. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020.
- ^ a b c «Jumping jack definition and meaning — Collins English Dictionary». www.collinsdictionary.com.
Further reading[edit]
Note: the below are general references on this topic. Individual entries have not yet been audited against the references below and readers looking for verifiable information should consult the works below unless individual entries in the article’s table are properly sourced.
- Bickerton, Anthea (1985). American-English, English-American : a two-way glossary of words in daily use on both sides of the Atlantic. ISBN 978-0-902920-60-6.
- Davies, Christopher (2005). Divided by a Common Language: A Guide to British and American English. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 978-0-618-00275-7.
- Hargraves, Orin (2003). Mighty Fine Words and Smashing Expressions: Making Sense of Transatlantic English. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-515704-8.
External links[edit]
- The Septic’s Companion: A British Slang Dictionary – an online dictionary of British slang, viewable alphabetically or by category
- Размер: 250 Кб
- Количество слайдов: 17
Lecture 2. Word meaning is studied by the branch of lexicology called semasiology. Usually meaning is defined as the realization of a notion (or concept, in other terms) by means of a definite language system.
The word: basic unit of lexicology The most important characteristics of the word : 1. The word is a unit of speech which serves the purposes of human communication. So the word can be defined as a unit of communication. 2. The word is the total of the sounds which compose it. 3. The word possesses both external and internal characteristics.
The word is a unit used for purposes of human communication, materially representing a group of sounds, possessing a meaning, characterised by formal and semantic unity and a capacity for grammatical employment. The word may be described as the basic unit of language. Uniting meaning and form, it is composed of one or more morphemes, each consisting of one or more spoken sounds or their written representation.
Types of meaning grammatical meaning (unites words into parts of speech) Ex. : goes, stops, works lexical meaning (individual for every word) Ex. : went, kissed, looked
Denotational and connotational meaning Denotational component expresses the notional content of the word, shows what the word refers to. Connotational component expresses additional meanings of the word which may be of different types: stylistic, evaluative (rational and emotional) and emotional, etc.
Types of connotational meaning Evaluative (rational and emotional) Ex. : brain Ex. : brock (“a scoundrel”) Cf. also: notorious – celebrated Emotional, or emotive connotation of the word is its capacity to evoke and express emotion ( duckling, darling (diminutive emotive value). Stylistic connotation shows the stylistic status of a word: neutral, bookish, colloquial, slang, etc.
Componential Analysis consists in decomposition of the word meaning into semes – minimal components of meaning, or elementary units of sense. archisemes differential semes Ex. : girl, woman, spinster
Motivation morhological (Ex. : leader, cranberry) phonetical (Ex. : splash, boom, chung, ching) semantic (Ex. : chain store, chain hotel, chain smoker) folk etymology asparagus sparrow grass полуклиника , спинжак→
Polysemy Ex. : do, go, see, etc. lexico-semantical variants of the word (LSVs) Primary and secondary meanings in the semantic structure of the word Table “a piece of furniture” “ a supply of food”, “an act of assembling to eat”, “a group of people assembled at a table”, etc. Meanings can also be direct and figurative, concrete and abstract, central and peripheral, general and special
Semantic changes. Causes: historical, or extralinguistic, and linguistic. villain ( « деревенский житель » → « негодяй » Tory « ирландский разбойник » → « член партии Тори » lord « хранитель хлеба » → « господин , владелец , etc. » Borrowing Ex. : “any animal”: Deer, beast (Fr. ), animal (Lat. ) Ellipsis Ex. : daily newspaper→daily Analogy catch “understand”, grasp ”understand”
The nature of semantic change Association Transference: 1) based on similarity linguistic metaphor: neck (of a human being) → neck (of a bottle). 2) based on contiguity (real connection between the two objects). linguistic metonymy: hands (“limbs of a human body”) → hands (“a worker”).
Metaphors Based on similarity between two physical objects (concrete to concrete metaphores): teeth of a saw, leg of a table, a goose (of a silly woman). Zoosemy. concrete to abstract metaphors: a ray of hope, a shade of doubt. different types of similarity: similarity of shape (tongue of a bell), function (leg of a table), position (foot of a page), character of motion (snail (of a sluggish person)), dimensions (dumpling (of a short, chabby creature)), value (dirt cheap). proper names → common names: Appolo, Don Juan, Othello. Structural metaphors: Time is money. Argument is war
Metonymy 1) instrument → agent: pen (“writer”); 2) consequence → cause: grey hair (“old age”); 3) symbol →the thing symbolized (crown “monarchy”) 4) material → the thing made from it (silver “money”) 5) container → the thing contained (to drink a cup); 6) name of a place → institution (Whitehall); 7) action → the object of action (my love); 
quality →the person possessing the quality (He is a talent).
Synechdoche is a variety of metonymy which consists in using the name of a part to denote the whole or vice versa: Hands are wanted; OE mete “food” →Mn. E meat “kind of food”.
Semantic change may result in the change of the range of meaning. narrowing (specialization) of meaning. OE fugol (“any bird”) → domestic bird (fowl) widening (generalization) of meaning. girl “a child of either sex → “a female child”.
The change of the connotational structure Degradation (pejoration) of meaning: the process when the object to which the word refers acquires negative characteristics, and the meaning develops a negative evaluative connotation. OE word cnafa (Mn. E knave) “a boy” → a “boy servant” → “a swindler, a scoundrel”. Elevation (amelioration): the development of a positive evaluative connotation. OE cwen (Mn. E queen) “woman” cniht (Mn. E knight) – “a young servant”