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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use name in a sentence
Yazbek says no one takes names, and no one checks for weapons or other contraband.
“Metaphors have always been the best way of explaining things,” Senhor José says in All the Names.
When he was first incarcerated, he says some sort of paperwork snafu had him imprisoned under two different, but similar, names.
His First Day Out Of Jail After 40 Years: Adjusting To Life Outside | Justin Rohrlich | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThe region is marketed for visitors as “Aryan Valley,” and many citizens have taken to tacking on “Aryan” to their last names.
A few Republicans, such as Christie and Walker, made their names battling the unions.
How Public Sector Unions Divide the Democrats | Daniel DiSalvo | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Some were even re-arrested for the same nefarious purpose, and the daily papers published their names on each occasion.
The Philippine Islands | John ForemanWith some difficulty Jos explained his mother's disclaimer of the title of Senora, and the choice of names she offered to Ramona.
Ramona | Helen Hunt JacksonBut he is as insolent as you could wish, and has a superb confidence in himself that his enemies call by the most offensive names.
Ancestors | Gertrude AthertonWho has patience for the recapitulation of a string of names, when a group of faces may be placed simultaneously before him?
If this fact is noticed, it cannot but help hold those two names together.
Assimilative Memory | Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
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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