plural
names
plural
names
Britannica Dictionary definition of NAME
[count]
1
:
a word or phrase that refers to or that can refer to a specific person
-
“What's his (first) name?” “His name is Jacob.”
-
I took my husband's (last) name when we got married.
-
Please write/sign your name on this line.
-
State your name and occupation.
-
I refused to give/tell them my name.
-
She has one of the most famous names [=she is one of the most famous people] in show business.
-
Can you give me the name of a good dentist? [=do you know a good dentist that I could use?]
-
Mark Twain's real name was Samuel Clemens.
-
She registered at the hotel under/using a false/assumed name.
-
Samuel Clemens wrote under the name (of) Mark Twain.
-
My full name is Susan Elaine Smith.
-
Her name is Susan, but she goes by the name (of) Sue. [=people call her Sue]
-
Do you know a man by the name of [=do you know a man named] James Smith?
-
She now owns several restaurants that bear her name. [=that are named after her]
-
Can I put your name down for a donation? [=can I write down your name on the list of people who are giving a donation?; would you like to make a donation?]
—
see also christian name, family name, first name, forename, given name, last name, maiden name, married name, middle name, nickname, pen name, pet name, stage name, surname
2
a
:
a word or phrase that refers to a specific place or thing
-
We had to memorize the names of all the countries in Africa.
-
“What's your dog's name?” “His name is Sandy.”
-
What was the name [=title] of that movie we saw last night?
-
This is his song “Loving You” from the album of the same name.
-
The ship's name was “Titanic.”
-
The band takes/gets its name from [=it is named after] its hometown.
-
The company gives/lends its name to one of the biggest golf tournaments in the country. [=the golf tournament is named after the company]
b
:
a word or phrase that refers to a type or group of things
-
Psychologists have a name for this kind of behavior.
-
Is there a name for the part of the leg behind the knee?
-
The cougar is also known by the names “puma” and “mountain lion.”
-
The plant's botanical/scientific name is Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, but we know it by its common name “daisy.”
-
True to their name, killer bees have been known to kill people. = As their name implies/suggests, killer bees really do kill. = Killer bees really live up to their name. = Killer bees are known to kill people, hence the name.
—
see also brand name, code name, place name, proper name, trade name
3
:
the general opinion that most people have about someone or something
-
A few dishonest players have given the sport a bad name. [=they have made people think badly about the sport]
-
I won't let you ruin our family's good name. [=good reputation]
-
He's still trying to clear his name. [=to prove that he is not guilty of a crime]
4
:
a famous person or thing
-
He's one of the biggest names in music.
-
Our agency has represented some of the most famous names in the business.
-
The following year, she took the role that would make her a household name. [=a very well-known person]
—
see also big name, name-dropping, no-name
5
:
a word or phrase that is used to describe and insult someone
—
usually plural
-
Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me!
-
“You're such a stupid jerk!” “Hey, don't call me names!”
-
A bully at school was calling her names.
—
see also name-calling
by name
:
using a name
:
by saying the name of someone or something
-
He never mentioned her by name [=he never said her name], but we all knew who he was talking about.
-
The victim was able to identify his attacker by name. [=he knew the name of the person who attacked him]
-
We've had people come in to the store and ask for it by name.
drag someone's name through the mud
—
see 1drag
in all/everything but name
:
not in an official way but in every other way
in name only
also
in name
—
used to describe a person or thing that does not have the qualities that its name suggests
-
For many years, the Emperor was the ruler in name only. = The Emperor ruled in name but not in fact.
-
She's my boss in name only. We're really more like partners.
-
a friend in name only
in someone's/something's name
or
in the name of someone/something
1
a
—
used to say that something officially or legally belongs to a specified person
-
We both own the house, but the car is in my name.
-
The business is registered in her husband's name for tax purposes.
b
—
used to say that something has or uses the name of a specified person
2
—
used to say that something is done with the authority of a specified person or thing
3
—
used to say that something is given as the official reason for doing something
know (someone) by name
1
:
to know a person well enough to know the person's name
-
She knows all of her customers by name.
-
I took her to a restaurant where the owner knows me by name.
-
The police know him by name.
2
:
to know a person's name only
make your name
or
make a name for yourself
:
to become well-known or famous
-
She made her name in politics as a powerful public speaker.
-
He has made quite a name for himself as a golfer.
-
She is making a name for herself in the art world.
put a name to (someone or something)
:
to think of and say the name of (someone or something)
take someone's name in vain
—
see vain
the name of the game
informal
:
the basic goal or purpose of an activity
-
When all is said and done, in business, profit is the name of the game.
-
The name of the game was winning by any means necessary.
to your name
:
belonging to you
-
I haven't a dollar/dime/penny to my name. [=I have no money]
-
She has more than 20 novels to her name. [=she has written more than 20 novels]
-
a band with three hit songs to their name
under someone's/something's name
or
under the name (of) someone/something
1
—
used to say that something officially or legally belongs to a specified person
-
We both own the house, but the car is under my name.
-
The business is registered under her husband's name for tax purposes.
2
—
used to say that something has or uses the name of a specified person
with someone's name on it
informal
your name is mud
—
see mud
2
name
/ˈneɪm/
verb
names;
named;
naming
names;
named;
naming
Britannica Dictionary definition of NAME
[+ object]
1
:
to give a name to (someone or something)
-
“What are you going to name your new dog?” “I think I'll name him Sandy.”
-
The aptly named HMS “Victorious” helped the British Royal Navy win an important victory.
-
A man named James Smith is on the phone.
-
We named our daughter “Mary” in honor of her grandmother.
-
Alzheimer's disease was named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer. = (US) It was named for Dr. Alois Alzheimer.
2
:
to say the name of (someone or something)
-
Can you name the person who attacked you?
-
All of the authors named above were influenced by his work.
-
“How many of the 50 states of the U.S. can you name?” “Well, there's New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, to name (but/just/only) a few.”
3
:
to choose (someone) to be (something)
-
The company president named [=appointed] his son (as) his successor.
-
She was named to replace him as the company's vice president.
-
She has been named (as) the winner of the competition.
-
The magazine named him (as) the best artist of the year.
4
:
to decide on or choose (something)
-
NASA has not yet named [=set] the date for the shuttle launch.
-
We've decided to get married, but we haven't named the day (of the wedding) yet.
name names
:
to say the names of people who were involved in something
name your price
:
to say how much you want to pay for something or how much you want to sell something for
you name it
informal
:
anything you could say or think of
3
name
/ˈneɪm/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of NAME
always used before a noun
chiefly US
:
having a well-known name and good reputation