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Allen

American  
[al-uhn] / ˈæl ən /

noun

  1. (Charles) Grant (Blairfindie) Cecil PowerJ. Arbuthnot Wilson, 1848–99, British philosophical writer and novelist.

  2. Ethan, 1738–89, American soldier in the Revolutionary War: leader of the “Green Mountain Boys” of Vermont.

  3. Fred John Florence Sullivan, 1894–1956, U.S. comedian.

  4. Frederick Lewis, 1890–1954, U.S. historian and editor.

  5. Gracie Grace Ethel Cecile Rosalie Allen, 1905–64, U.S. comedian (partner and wife of George Burns).

  6. Richard, 1760–1831, U.S. clergyman: a founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

  7. William, 1532–1594, English Catholic cardinal in exile.

  8. (William) Hervey 1889–1949, U.S. novelist, poet, and biographer.

  9. Woody Allen Stewart Konigsberg, born 1935, U.S. comedian, author, actor, and filmmaker.

  10. a first name.


Allen 1 British  
/ ˈælən /

noun

  1. Ethan. 1738–89, American soldier during the War of Independence who led the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont

  2. Lily (Rose Beatrice) , born 1985, English pop singer; one of the first performers to come to prominence through exposure on the networking website MySpace rather than through record release

  3. Sir Thomas. born 1944, British operatic baritone

  4. Woody. real name Allen Stewart Konigsberg. born 1935, US film comedian, screenwriter, and director. His films as an actor and director include Annie Hall (1977), Manhattan (1979), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), Bullets over Broadway (1994), and Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Allen 2 British  
/ ˈælən /

noun

  1. a region of peat bogs in central Ireland, west of Dublin. Area: over 10 sq km (3.75 sq miles)

  2. a lake in Ireland, in county Leitrim

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The California Institute of Technology confirmed to CBS in an email that Allen graduated from Caltech in 2017, but provided no further details.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026

A blue scooter was parked on the lawn, and a neighbor said he’d seen Allen riding it around the neighborhood.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

Authorities are yet to publicly confirm his identity, but US media reported that the suspect was a 31-year-old named Cole Tomas Allen from Torrance, California.

From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026

Allen also earned a master’s degree in computer science at Cal State Dominguez Hills in 2025, according to a commencement program.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026

Aunt Nina is holding baby Allen, who is a ball of sleep cuddled up against her chest.

From "Betty Before X" by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renée Watson