Kate
Kate (name) means a short, familiar form of Katherine, also used as a full given name in its own right. Example: “Everyone calls her Kate, though her birth certificate says Katherine.”
How to Use Kate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly a nickname or standalone form of Katherine; occasionally, a regional bird name.
Word Forms
Kates plural, kates plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Everyone calls her _____, though her birth certificate says Katherine.
Synonyms
View more →Related Words
Rhymes for Kate
See all rhymes for Kate →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Kate” mean?
The word “Kate” means a short, familiar form of Katherine, also used as a full given name in its own right. In plain terms, most commonly a nickname or standalone form of Katherine; occasionally, a regional bird name.
How do you pronounce “Kate”?
“Kate” is pronounced kayt (/keɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “Kate” in a sentence?
Here is “Kate” used in a sentence: “Everyone calls her Kate, though her birth certificate says Katherine.”
What part of speech is “Kate”?
Depending on how it is used, “Kate” can be a name and a noun.
Is “Kate” a common word?
“Kate” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Kate” have?
“Kate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short, familiar form of Katherine, also used as a full given name in its own right.
What is the difference between Kate and Katherine?
Kate is a short, familiar form of Katherine, but it is also used as a full given name in its own right. This means a person can be named simply Kate on her birth certificate rather than having it as a nickname for Katherine.
Should Kate always be capitalized?
As a personal name, Kate is a proper noun and always takes a capital K. It keeps the capital whether it is used as a short form of Katherine or as a full given name on its own.
Besides being a personal name, what else does Kate refer to?
In British and Irish usage, 'kate' is a name for the brambling, a type of finch. This is a regional common name for the bird rather than a formal scientific term.
Featured In
Vocabulary lists that include Kate: