Barry

American  

[bar-ee] / ˈbær i /

noun

1. Sir Charles, 1795–1860, English architect.

2. John, 1745–1803, American naval commander in the Revolution.

3. Leonora Marie Kearney Mother Lake, 1849–1930, U.S. labor leader and social activist, born in Ireland.

4. Philip, 1896–1949, U.S. playwright.

5. a first name: from an Irish word meaning “spear.”

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Barry ¹ British  

noun

1. Sir Charles . 1795–1860, English architect: designer of the Houses of Parliament in London

2. Comtesse du . See du Barry

3. John, real name John Barry Prendergast. 1933–2011, British composer of film scores, including several for films in the James Bond series

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Barry ² British  

/ ˈbærɪ /

noun

1. a port in SE Wales, in Vale of Glamorgan county borough on the Bristol Channel. Pop: 50 661 (2001)

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barry ³ British  

/ ˈbærɪ /

noun

1. slang a mistake or blunder; a disappointing performance

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Etymology

Origin of barry

rhyming slang for _shocker

Example Sentences

"Over my dead body," said Barry Hearn, then the chairman of World Snooker, amid suspicions some years ago that under his leadership the tournament might leave Sheffield.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

Former World Championship runners-up Barry Hawkins and Matthew Stevens went head-to-head in the evening session with Welshman Stevens taking the opener on the black 61-57 after he had been 57-0 behind.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

“He came from nothing, showing up at a carting track and then having these big dreams and aspirations. And here he is,” said Barry Wanser, the senior manager of IndyCar operations for Chip Ganassi Racing.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

The speed of the market decline combined with industry overcapacity, volume declines and supply disruption hurt Barry Callebaut’s earnings and led it to adjust its profitability outlook, he added.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

An hour passed, and Barry heard a familiar voice.

From "I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005" by Lauren Tarshis