irving

IPA/ˈɜːvɪŋ/
KK[ˈɚvɪŋ]IPA/ˈərvɪŋ/

irving — noun

1. Sir Henry Irving (1838–1905), born John Henry Brodribb, was an English stage act

1.nounB1
Definition

Sir Henry Irving (1838–1905), born John Henry Brodribb, was an English stage actor famous for his performances in Shakespeare plays and ghost dramas. He was the first actor ever to receive a knighthood, which made theatre a more respected profession in Britain.

Example

Mia read an article about Sir Henry Irving for her drama history assignment.

proper name + title: Sir Henry Irving

The biography describes how Henry Irving transformed theatre in Victorian London.

collocation: Irving transformed / transformed theatre

Common collocations
  • Sir Henry Irving
  • Henry Irving's production
  • Irving's performances

Usage Note

In historical writing about British theatre, the full name 'Sir Henry Irving' is standard on first mention; 'Irving' alone or 'Henry Irving' is used thereafter. Do not confuse with Washington Irving (sense 2) — Sir Henry is a stage actor from England, while Washington Irving is an American writer from an earlier period.

2. Washington Irving (1783–1859) was an American author, essayist, and historian. H

2.nounB1
Definition

Washington Irving (1783–1859) was an American author, essayist, and historian. He is best known for his short stories 'Rip Van Winkle' and 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,' which helped shape early American literature and introduced folk tales to a wide readership.

Example

Ravindra enjoyed reading Washington Irving's story 'Rip Van Winkle' in class.

proper name + possessive with story title

Our teacher asked us to write an essay about Washington Irving's use of humor.

collocation: essay about + [author]'s use of

Common collocations
  • Washington Irving's stories
  • Irving's writing
  • by Washington Irving

Usage Note

In literary contexts, the full name 'Washington Irving' is almost always used — the surname 'Irving' alone is ambiguous between this sense and the actor (sense 1). American readers typically encounter his work in middle or high school literature classes.

3. a city in the state of Texas, located northeast of Dallas near the Dallas-Fort W

3.nounB1
Definition

a city in the state of Texas, located northeast of Dallas near the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. With a population of about 216,000 people, it is a major centre for business and transportation in the region.

Example

Élise flew into Dallas and stayed with friends in Irving, Texas.

locative: in Irving, Texas

Mauricio started a new job at a tech campus in Irving and met his team there.

action sequence: started new job + met team in Irving

Common collocations
  • in Irving, Texas
  • Irving, Texas
  • the city of Irving

Usage Note

When writing about this city in English, the comma between 'Irving' and 'Texas' is standard: 'Irving, Texas.' In address forms, 'Irving, TX' is the postal abbreviation. Do not confuse with Irving, California (a different, smaller place).

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

Washington Irving, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allan Poe, and James Fenimore Cooper were all early American writers, but their styles and subjects differed. Irving is known for humorous folk tales and travel sketches with a light, conversational tone — 'Rip Van Winkle' is a gentle fantasy about change and sleep. Hawthorne wrote darker moral allegories like The Scarlet Letter, focused on sin and Puritan society. Poe is famous for Gothic horror and psychological suspense ('The Tell-Tale Heart'), often exploring madness and death. Cooper wrote adventure novels about frontiersmen and Native Americans, such as The Last of the Mohicans. A student who enjoyed Irving's playful ghost story 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' might find Poe's 'The Fall of the House of Usher' more intense and less humorous.

Washington IrvingNathaniel HawthorneEdgar Allan PoeJames Fenimore Cooper

Etymology

BrythonicScotsEnglish

The surname Irving comes from a Scottish place name, originally meaning 'green river' or 'fresh water' in the ancient Brythonic language spoken in Britain before English arrived. The name was first recorded in the medieval period in the region of Dumfriesshire, Scotland. The two famous Americans — Washington Irving and the city of Irving, Texas — share no direct family link; the city was named after an early settler who brought the surname from the eastern United States.