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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.”


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

"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

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)

"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

barry 3 British  
/ ˈbærɪ /

noun

  1. slang a mistake or blunder; a disappointing performance

"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

Etymology

Origin of barry

rhyming slang for shocker

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.

Former Secret Service agent Barry Donadio also told the BBC there appeared to be "no lack of agents, officers and police" at the event.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026

Barry Mano, who died March 31 at the age of 82, published the first issue of Referee magazine in 1976, to report on and advocate for refs, umpires and sports officials of all kinds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Barry Keoghan is playing Starr and has been spotted around town with an iconic Beatles-style mop top hairstyle.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

As GlobalData managing director Neil Saunders put it, while Barry did an “excellent job” navigating the pandemic, there is a sense that Best Buy has not been building on that foundation.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

Even before Barry Voight’s visit, Johnston had worried about the story of one unusual volcano in particular.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone