name
a word or a combination of words by which a person, place, or thing, a body or class, or any object of thought is designated, called, or known.
mere designation, as distinguished from fact: He was a king in name only.
an appellation, title, or epithet, applied descriptively, in honor, abuse, etc.
a reputation of a particular kind given by common opinion: to protect one's good name.
a distinguished, famous, or great reputation; fame: to make a name for oneself.
a widely known or famous person; celebrity: She's a name in show business.
an unpleasant or derogatory appellation or expression: Don't call your brother names! Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.
a personal or family name as exercising influence or bringing distinction: With that name they can get a loan at any bank in town.
a body of persons grouped under one name, as a family or clan.
the verbal or other symbolic representation of a thing, event, property, relation, or concept.
(initial capital letter) a symbol or vehicle of divinity: to take the Name in vain; the power of the Name.
to give a name to: to name a baby.
to accuse: He was named as the thief.
to call by an epithet: They named her speedy.
to identify, specify, or mention by name: Three persons were named in the report.
to designate for some duty or office; nominate or appoint: I have named you for the position.
to give the name of: Can you name the capital of Ohio?
to speak of.
British. (in the House of Commons) to cite (a member) for contempt.
famous; widely known: a name author.
designed for or carrying a name.
giving its name or title to a collection or anthology containing it: the name piece.
Idioms about name
by name,
personally; individually: She was always careful to address every employee by name.
not personally; by repute: I know him by name only.
call names, to scold or speak abusively of or to a person: Better not to call names unless one is larger and considerably stronger than one's adversary.
in the name of,
with appeal to: In the name of mercy, stop that screaming!
by the authority of: Open, in the name of the law!
on behalf of: to purchase something in the name of another.
under the name or possession of: money deposited in the name of a son.
under the designation or excuse of: murder in the name of justice.
name names, to specify people by name, especially those who have been accomplices in a misdeed: The witness in the bribery investigation threatened to name names.
to one's name, in one's possession: I haven't a penny to my name.
Origin of name
1synonym study For name
Other words for name
| 4 | repute, character, credit |
| 5 | note, distinction, renown, eminence |
| 6 | personality |
| 14 | nickname, dub, denominate |
| 16 | choose |
| 17 | mention |
Other words from name
- namer, noun
- re·name, verb (used with object), re·named, re·nam·ing.
- self-named, adjective
- un·der·name, noun
- un·der·named, adjective
- well-named, adjective
Words Nearby name
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use name in a sentence
The CDA was passed not in the name of censorship but in the name of protecting children from stumbling across sexual material.
“Gronkowski” itself never manages to sound more erotic than the name of a hearty Polish stew or a D-list WWE performer.
‘A Gronking to Remember’ Speed Read: 8 Naughtiest Bits | Emily Shire | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTYet, for god knows what reason, his name is never brought up in the “Great American Filmmaker” conversation.
Oscars 2015: The Daily Beast’s Picks, From Scarlett Johansson to ‘Boyhood’ | Marlow Stern | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTA sad-faced orange Star of David flashed across the iPhone screen as we swiped left on “James” (not his real name).
What they believe impacts economic policy, foreign policy, education policy, environmental policy, you name it.
In pursuing his alchemical researches, he discovered Prussian blue, and the animal oil which bears his name.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellElyon is the name of an ancient Phœnician god, slain by his son El, no doubt the “first-born of death” in Job xviii.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature | Moncure Daniel Conway"It is ill-fated;" and Alessandro blamed himself for having forgotten her only association with the name.
Ramona | Helen Hunt Jackson"Garnache," came the other's crisp, metallic voice, and the name had a sound as of an oath on his lips.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael SabatiniChildren, and the building of a city shall establish a name, but a blameless wife shall be counted above them both.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | Various
British Dictionary definitions for name
/ (neɪm) /
a word or term by which a person or thing is commonly and distinctively known: Related adjective: nominal
mere outward appearance or form as opposed to fact (esp in the phrase in name): he was a ruler in name only
a word, title, or phrase descriptive of character, usually abusive or derogatory: to call a person names
reputation, esp, if unspecified, good reputation: he's made quite a name for himself
a famous person or thing: a name in the advertising world
mainly US and Canadian (as modifier): a name product
a member of Lloyd's who provides part of the capital of a syndicate and shares in its profits or losses but does not arrange its business
in the name of or under the name of using as a name
in the name of
for the sake of
by the sanction or authority of
know by name to have heard of without having met
name of the game
anything that is essential, significant, or important
expected or normal conditions, circumstances, etc: in gambling, losing money's the name of the game
to one's name belonging to one: I haven't a penny to my name
to give a name to; call by a name: she named the child Edward
to refer to by name; cite: he named three French poets
to determine, fix, or specify: they have named a date for the meeting
to appoint to or cite for a particular title, honour, or duty; nominate: he was named Journalist of the Year
to ban (an MP) from the House of Commons by mentioning him formally by name as being guilty of disorderly conduct
name and shame to reveal the identity of a person or organization guilty of illegal or unacceptable behaviour in order to embarrass them into not repeating the offence
name names to cite people, esp in order to blame or accuse them
name the day to choose the day for one's wedding
you name it whatever you need, mention, etc
Origin of name
1Derived forms of name
- namable or nameable, adjective
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with name
In addition to the idioms beginning with name
- name after
- name is mud, one's
- name names
- name of the game, the
- name the day
also see:
- call names
- clear one's name
- drop names
- give a bad name
- go by (the name of)
- handle to one's name
- in name only
- in the name of
- make a name for oneself
- on a first-name basis
- take someone's name in vain
- to one's name
- worthy of the name
- you name it
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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