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  • Eric
    Eric
    noun
    Eric the Red.
  • ERIC
    ERIC
    abbreviation
    Education Resources Information Center: a database of articles and reports on education-related topics.
  • eric
    eric
    noun
    (in old Irish law) a fine paid by a murderer to the family of his victim Compare wergild

Eric

1 American  
[er-ik] / ˈɛr ɪk /

noun

  1. Eric the Red.

  2. a male given name: ultimately from Germanic words meaning “one” and “ruler.”

ERIC 2 American  
[er-ik] / ˈɛr ɪk /

abbreviation

  1. Education Resources Information Center: a database of articles and reports on education-related topics.

eric British  
/ ˈɛrɪk /

noun

  1. (in old Irish law) a fine paid by a murderer to the family of his victim Compare wergild

"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 eric

C16: from Irish eiric

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 firm identifies his sons Donald Jr., Eric and Barron as co-founders.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

The two other surviving Python members, John Cleese and Eric Idle, also supported the campaign.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

Dr. Eric Wherley saw Glannan needed a new valve.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Heidecker got his major break with comedic partner Eric Wareheim in the 2000s after sending a collection of short films to comedian and actor Bob Odenkirk.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Eric asked me in front of Eddie if I wanted to come to the party.

From "Bad Boy" by Walter Dean Myers

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.