Hughes

American  

[hyooz, yooz] / hjuz, juz /

noun

1. Charles Evans, 1862–1948, U.S. jurist and statesman: chief justice of the U.S. 1930–41.

2. Howard (Robard) 1905–76, U.S. businessman, motion-picture producer, and aviator.

3. (John) Langston 1902–67, U.S. novelist and poet.

4. Rupert, 1872–1956, U.S. novelist and biographer.

5. Ted, 1930–1998, English poet: poet laureate 1984–98 (husband of Sylvia Plath).

6. Thomas, 1822–96, English novelist, reformer, and jurist.

7. William Morris, 1864–1952, Australian statesman, born in Wales: prime minister 1915–23.

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Hughes British  

/ hjuːz /

noun

1. Howard. 1905–76, US industrialist, aviator, and film producer. He became a total recluse during the last years of his life

2. ( James Mercer ) Langston. 1902–67, US Black poet and writer. His collections include The Weary Blues (1926) and The Panther and the Lash (1967)

3. Richard ( Arthur Warren ). 1900–76, British novelist. He wrote A High Wind in Jamaica (1929), In Hazard (1938), and The Fox in the Attic (1961)

4. Robert ( Studley Forrest ). 1938–2012, Australian art critic, writer, and broadcaster; his work includes the television series The Shock of the New (1981) and the book The Culture of Complaint (1993)

5. Ted, full name Edward James Hughes. 1930–98, British poet: his works include The Hawk in the Rain (1957), Crow (1970), and Birthday Letters (1998). Poet laureate (1984–98)

6. Thomas. 1822–96, British novelist; author of Tom Brown's Schooldays (1857)

7. William Morris. 1864–1952, Australian statesman, born in England: prime minister of Australia (1915–23)

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Etymology

Origin of Hughes

From Old North French Hugues, Old French Hue, variant of Old French Hugo, a shortened form of Germanic given names beginning with hug- “mind, heart, spirit, soul” ( Old English hyge ). The spelling Hugh is from the Picard variant Hughes , the -gh- equivalent to French -gu-, used to express the “hard -g ” (as in “gun,” as opposed to the “soft -g ” (as in “gin” or “mirage”). The modern English pronunciation, rhyming with “cue,” is influenced by the Norman variant form Hue, now used only as a surname, mostly n Normandy

Example Sentences

Alex Hughes had spells at Stockport County and Wrexham before ending his playing career to work in player analysis and recruitment.

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2026

Former Manchester United, Chelsea and Wales striker Hughes paid tribute to his son in a statement released via the League Managers Association.

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2026

Allbirds also announced Lily Yan Hughes as its board chair.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2026

The criminals hoped the documents within would contain sensitive secrets they could use to blackmail Hughes, who sometimes spent months without leaving his home, eating only chocolate bars and milk, letting his fingernails grow long.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 16, 2026

“I wanted to focus on Mr. Hughes first, but now I want each of you to find a poet you like, and we’ll practice writing a little poetry.”

From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper