warwick

IPA/ˈwɒr.ɪk/
KK[wˈɔrwɪk]IPA/ˈwɔːr.ɪk/

warwick — noun

1. a historic settlement in central England that functions as the county seat of Wa

1.noun
Definition

a historic settlement in central England that functions as the county seat of Warwickshire and draws many visitors to its well-preserved medieval castle.

Example

Obi spent the weekend exploring Warwick Castle and the narrow streets of the old town.

collocation: Warwick Castle

Many tourists stop in Warwick on their way to the Shakespeare sites in nearby Stratford.

Common collocations
  • visit Warwick
  • stay in Warwick
  • Warwick Castle
  • the town of Warwick
  • Warwick town centre

Grammar Patterns

Warwick + is/has…

in/near Warwick

Usage Note

Often used attributively in tourism contexts: Warwick Castle, Warwick racecourse, Warwick town centre. The name is usually mentioned without a definite article.

2. a city in the US state of Rhode Island, located south of the state capital Provi

2.noun
Definition

a city in the US state of Rhode Island, located south of the state capital Providence along the coast of Narragansett Bay, with a mix of residential neighbourhoods and coastal parks.

Example

Marta drives from her home in Warwick to her job in downtown Providence every day.

used with preposition: 'in Warwick'

The city of Warwick has several parks along the shore of Narragansett Bay.

Common collocations
  • Warwick, Rhode Island
  • the city of Warwick
  • live in Warwick
  • move to Warwick

Grammar Patterns

Warwick + is/has…

in/near Warwick

Usage Note

Speakers usually add 'Rhode Island' after the name ('Warwick, Rhode Island') to distinguish this city from the English town. In local context the state is often dropped.

3. the title of a powerful English nobleman from the 15th century who played a majo

3.noun
Definition

the title of a powerful English nobleman from the 15th century who played a major role in the Wars of the Roses and became known by the nickname 'the Kingmaker' for his ability to influence who held the crown.

Example

In the 1400s the Earl of Warwick helped decide who would be king of England.

title always with definite article: 'the Earl of Warwick'

Eri wrote about the Earl of Warwick's role in the Wars of the Roses.

Common collocations
  • the Earl of Warwick
  • the Kingmaker
  • Earl of Warwick's army
  • the Wars of the Roses
Synonyms
  • the Kingmaker

    popular nickname for the same figure, emphasising his role in deciding the English throne

Grammar Patterns

the Earl of Warwick + verb…

Usage Note

The title always takes the definite article ('the Earl of Warwick'). The historical figure most commonly referred to by this title is Richard Neville (1428–1471), who fought on both sides of the Wars of the Roses.

Common Mistakes

Earl Warwick visited France.
The Earl of Warwick visited France.
the title requires 'of' and a definite article.

Word family

  • Warwickshire
    noun
  • Warwickian
    adjective

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • the Earl of Warwick
  • Warwick, Rhode Island
  • University of Warwick

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

The name Warwick comes from Old English 'wering' (a weir or dam across a river) and 'wīc' (a settlement or dwelling place), so the name originally meant 'settlement by the weir'. The town grew up at a crossing point on the River Avon where a fish weir had been built. The title 'Earl of Warwick' was created by the Norman kings in the 11th century and has been held by several powerful families over the centuries.