name
/neɪm/ (bre, ipa) · /neɪm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈnām/ (ame, mw)
name — noun
- namesingular
- namesplural
1. the word or group of words used to refer to someone or something when speaking o
the word or group of words used to refer to someone or something when speaking or writing about them.
Élise wrote her name at the top of the test paper.
possessive + name: her name
The street name was clearly shown on the blue sign at the corner.
Caleb could not remember the name of the new Korean restaurant.
Please write your full name on the registration form at reception.
The park gets its name from a gardener who planted those oak trees.
- title
used for creative works, official positions, or formal documents rather than everyday names
- label
more informal; suggests a name attached to a product or category, not to a person
- designation
formal; used in official or technical contexts
文法句型
[possessive] + name
the name of + [noun]
用法筆記
Frequently used with possessive determiners (my, your, his, her, its, their) to indicate whose name is being referred to. The pattern 'name of + noun' is common when the name belongs to a thing or place rather than a person.
常見錯誤
2. the way people view or judge a person, company, product, or institution — whethe
the way people view or judge a person, company, product, or institution — whether they regard it as good or bad.
The bakery built a good name by using fresh local ingredients every day.
build a good name for oneself
Imran's careless mistakes gave the whole team a bad name.
give [someone/something] a bad name
That hotel chain has made a name for its excellent customer service.
The scandal left the company's name in ruins across the industry.
- reputation
more formal and explicit; can be used in any context where 'name' carries this meaning
- standing
focuses on rank or position within a community or field
文法句型
[adjective] + name
make a name for oneself
give [someone/something] a bad name
用法筆記
Common in fixed expressions: 'good name' suggests a reputation for honesty and reliability; 'bad name' suggests poor quality or dishonesty. 'Make a name for yourself' is a very common idiom meaning to become well-known and respected through your achievements.
常見錯誤
3. a person who is very well known, especially within a particular profession or ar
a person who is very well known, especially within a particular profession or area of activity.
The conference brought together several big names in renewable energy.
big name in [field]
Eshe is already a name to watch in the world of modern dance.
a name to watch
The charity dinner attracted big names from film and music.
Defne became a household name after starring in that popular drama series.
- nobody
informal; a person of no importance or fame
文法句型
big name in + [field]
a name to watch
用法筆記
Almost always preceded by an adjective like 'big', 'famous', 'household', or 'great'. 'Household name' specifically means someone known to almost everyone in a country.
4. used immediately after a noun to indicate that the person or thing has a particu
used immediately after a noun to indicate that the person or thing has a particular name — for example, 'a student named Tom' means a student whose name is Tom.
The Nguyen family adopted a friendly dog named Lucky from the animal shelter.
noun + named + [name]
Anong met a young woman named Lucía at the summer language school.
Mathieu and his friends stayed at a small hotel called The Blue Dolphin by the beach.
The librarian found a book called The Lost Garden on the top shelf.
文法句型
[noun] + named + [name]
[noun] + called + [name]
用法筆記
This sense always follows the noun it modifies. Both 'named' and 'called' work the same way; 'named' is more common in written English, while 'called' is slightly more informal and conversational. Note that 'a name' (without -ed) is not used this way.
常見錯誤
5. an invented or adopted name used by someone who does not want to reveal their re
an invented or adopted name used by someone who does not want to reveal their real identity.
The author wrote under a false name because her family disapproved.
under a false name
Chidi checked into the hotel under the name of Mr. Brown.
under the name of [name]
The spy travelled using an assumed name and a fake passport.
Many actors use a stage name that is different from their real name.
- real name
someone's actual legal name
文法句型
under the name of + [name]
under a false name
under an assumed name
用法筆記
Typically appears in prepositional phrases starting with 'under' or 'using'. Common types of false names include 'stage name' (for performers), 'pen name' (for writers), and 'alias' (for criminals).
6. used to show that something is done for someone else, belongs to someone officia
used to show that something is done for someone else, belongs to someone officially, or is done using someone's authority — often in the fixed phrase 'in the name of'.
The house was bought in Rachel's name, not her husband's.
in [possessive] name
The police officer opened the door in the name of the law.
in the name of [authority]
Lan deposited the money into an account in her mother's name.
Cruel acts are sometimes committed in the name of religion.
文法句型
in the name of + [person/institution]
in + [possessive] + name
用法筆記
Cannot be the subject of a sentence in this sense — it appears only within prepositional phrases. 'In the name of' has three distinct sub-uses: (a) ownership ('the car is in my name'), (b) authority ('stop in the name of the king'), and (c) excuse ('in the name of freedom').
常見錯誤
name — verb
- namepresent simple I / you / we / they
- names3rd person singular
- naming-ing form
- namedpast simple
1. to give a person, animal, or thing a particular word or words to be known by.
to give a person, animal, or thing a particular word or words to be known by.
William and his wife named their baby daughter Élise after her grandmother.
name [someone] after [someone]
The Watanabes named their new cafe Cherry Blossom.
The street was named after a famous poet from the 19th century.
Caleb named his bicycle Lightning because it was very fast.
Her parents named her Lucía, which means light in Spanish.
文法句型
name + [person/thing] + [name]
be named + [name]
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive ('was named', 'were named'). The pattern 'name [someone] after [someone]' means to give a child the same name as another person, usually a relative, to honour them. In American English, 'name [someone] for [someone]' is more common.
常見錯誤
2. to say or write the name of someone or something, especially when identifying th
to say or write the name of someone or something, especially when identifying them or giving information about them.
The witness was too scared to name the person she had seen.
name [someone] in a legal context
Can you name three capital cities that start with the letter B?
The article named several companies that had broken safety rules.
The coach named Imran as the best player of the season.
Please name your price and we will see if we can match it.
文法句型
name + [noun]
name + [person] as + [complement]
用法筆記
The fixed expression 'name names' means to publicly reveal the names of people involved in something wrong or illegal. 'Name your price' is a common business phrase meaning to state the amount you want to charge.
常見錯誤
3. to officially choose someone for a particular job, position, or role.
to officially choose someone for a particular job, position, or role.
The board named Antonia as the new head of the marketing department.
name [someone] as [position]
Chidi was named team captain after just six months on the squad.
passive: be named [position]
The committee has not yet named a successor to the retiring director.
Rachel was named Employee of the Month for her outstanding sales record.
文法句型
name + [person] + [position]
name + [person] as + [position]
be named + [position]
用法筆記
More formal than 'choose' or 'pick'. Very common in business and academic contexts. In news headlines, 'name' is frequently used in the passive ('Ms. Chen was named CEO'). The preposition 'as' is optional but commonly used.
常見錯誤
name — adjective
- namepositive
- namercomparative
- namestsuperlative
1. relating to or used for showing a name — appearing on objects that indicate whos
relating to or used for showing a name — appearing on objects that indicate whose something is or what something is called.
All employees received a name badge with their photo and job title.
name badge
The conference provided name tags for every participant at the registration desk.
name tag
A small name plate on the door read Dr. Asher Goldstein.
The lawyer placed a polished brass name plate on her new office desk.
文法句型
name + [noun]
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive). Common compounds include 'name tag', 'name badge', and 'name plate'. This sense cannot be used after 'be' — you cannot say 'The badge is name.'
2. describing the role or character in a play, film, or book that gives the work it
describing the role or character in a play, film, or book that gives the work its title — for example, the character Hamlet in the play Hamlet.
Caleb played the name role in the school production of Macbeth.
name role
The actress who takes the name part must learn over fifty pages of dialogue.
name part
Playing the name character in a Shakespeare play is a huge challenge for any actor.
Shanti won an award for her performance in the name role of the film.
- title role
the more common modern equivalent
- title part
same as title role, less frequently used
文法句型
name + [noun] (role, part, character)
用法筆記
Previously hyphenated as 'name-role' or written as 'title role'; 'title role' is now the more common form in modern English. Learners should know both forms but prefer 'title role' in writing.
3. having a very good reputation and being widely recognized for high quality — use
having a very good reputation and being widely recognized for high quality — used especially to describe products, companies, or performers that are famous for being excellent.
Shirin prefers to buy name brands because they last longer than cheaper ones.
name brand
The festival booked several name bands to attract a larger crowd.
Name designers often charge much more for the same quality as unknown labels.
A name actor was hired to voice the main character in the animated film.
- famous
broader; does not specifically imply high quality or reputation
- well-known
general; does not carry the commercial connotation of 'name brand'
- reputable
formal; implies trustworthiness rather than fame
- generic
products without a well-known brand label, usually less expensive
文法句型
name + [noun] (brand, actor, band)
用法筆記
Only used before the noun it modifies. Particularly common in commercial contexts: 'name brand' describes well-known brand products (which are often more expensive than generic equivalents). 'Name actor' or 'name performer' means a well-known performer who attracts audiences.
4. featuring or made up of many famous and celebrated people, especially in enterta
featuring or made up of many famous and celebrated people, especially in entertainment or sports.
The film had a name cast that included three Oscar-winning actors.
name cast
Organizers put together a name lineup for the summer music festival.
The charity gala attracted a name crowd of celebrities and politicians.
The gallery opening was a name event with artists and collectors flying in from abroad.
- star-studded
the more common modern equivalent; used for casts, lineups, events
- all-star
common for sports teams and music lineups
- unknown
made up of people who are not famous
文法句型
name + [noun] (cast, lineup, band)
用法筆記
Less common than 'star-studded' or 'all-star', which are the more everyday equivalents. Learners will more often hear 'star-studded cast' than 'name cast'. This sense overlaps somewhat with adjective sense 3 (WELL KNOWN) but specifically emphasizes a collection of famous people rather than individual reputation.