brand-name
/ˈbrænd neɪm/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbrænd neɪm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbran(d)-ˈnām/ (ame, mw)
brand-name — noun
1. a name chosen by a company for one of its products or services, allowing buyers
a name chosen by a company for one of its products or services, allowing buyers to tell which business produced it
Reuben looked at the brand-name on the label before putting the shampoo in his basket.
Many shoppers will pay extra for a brand-name they already know and trust.
brand-name as object of trust
The company's brand-name became famous after its advertisement ran during the championship game.
Gita checked the brand-name because she wanted the same model her mother always bought.
A strong brand-name can be worth millions if the product sells well across different countries.
常見錯誤
2. a name chosen by a company or seller to identify its product or service, which t
a name chosen by a company or seller to identify its product or service, which the business can legally register so that no other company may use it
The company registered its brand-name as a trademark to prevent other firms from using it.
register a brand-name as a trademark (legal protection)
A brand-name must be used in business to stay protected under trademark law.
The court ruled that the two brand-names were too similar and could confuse buyers.
Lakan's company spent years building a brand-name that customers would spot instantly on store shelves.
A brand-name can be renewed every ten years while the company keeps selling the product.
- trademark
the legal term for a registered brand-name; more precise in law
- trade name
the official name under which a company does business
用法筆記
This sense is more technical than PRODUCT NAME (sense 1). It refers specifically to a name that has been or can be registered as a trademark. Commonly used in legal and intellectual property contexts.
3. a person, company, or product whose name is very well-known and has a strong pos
a person, company, or product whose name is very well-known and has a strong positive reputation in a particular field
After her award-winning film, she became a brand-name in the fashion industry overnight.
become a brand-name in [field]
The small restaurant chain grew from one location to a national brand-name within eight years.
The chef was such a brand-name that people booked the restaurant months ahead.
Amani wondered whether the university was a brand-name or just known for its sports teams.
The tech company became a global brand-name by making devices that people used every day.
- household name
emphasizes that nearly everyone recognizes the name
- big name
less formal; implies fame within an industry
用法筆記
This sense is a noun — it refers to the entity itself (e.g., 'She is a brand-name in fashion'), not an adjective describing a noun (compare with adjective sense WELL-KNOWN: 'a brand-name designer').
常見錯誤
brand-name — adjective
1. sold or produced under a specific company's name rather than as a generic or unb
sold or produced under a specific company's name rather than as a generic or unbranded item — for example, brand-name medicines that cost more than their generic versions
The doctor prescribed a brand-name drug because the generic version was not available yet.
brand-name drug vs. generic version
Padma prefers brand-name cereals because she trusts the quality of the ingredients.
Supermarkets often sell their own products next to the brand-name versions at a lower price.
The clinic uses only brand-name equipment to ensure accurate test results for patients.
Amani compared the brand-name product with the store's version and found very little difference.
- proprietary
more formal; used mainly in legal or technical contexts
- labelled
less common; focuses on the act of putting a name on the product
- generic
sold without a manufacturer's specific brand name
用法筆記
Always used before a noun (attributive position). You cannot say 'This drug is brand-name' — instead say 'This is a brand-name drug'.
常見錯誤
2. having a name that is famous and widely recognized by the public — used to descr
having a name that is famous and widely recognized by the public — used to describe a person, company, or product that has become well-known through its reputation
The hotel chain hired a brand-name architect to design its new resort in Bali.
brand-name + profession (architect, designer, chef)
Nikos got a job at a brand-name investment firm after graduating from university.
Only brand-name designers were invited to show their collections at the fashion week event.
The school principal wanted to invite a brand-name speaker to motivate the graduating class.
Isabela bought a handbag by a brand-name label that celebrities often wear on the red carpet.
- famous
broader; does not specifically relate to commercial branding
- well-known
slightly less formal, interchangeable in most contexts
- renowned
more formal, suggests high esteem
用法筆記
This sense differs from BRANDED (adjective sense 1) in that it describes the fame of the name itself rather than whether the product is sold under a specific company label. A 'brand-name architect' is famous; a 'brand-name drug' is simply sold under a company's trademark.