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adj Uncommon

nee

nay

Nee (adj) means used before a woman's maiden name to show the name she was born with, before marriage. Example: “Mrs. Sarah Clarke, née Thompson, gave the opening speech.”

adj
1
Used before a woman's maiden name to show the name she was born with, before marriage.
"Mrs. Sarah Clarke, née Thompson, gave the opening speech."

How to use nee

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPlaced before someone's birth surname, typically a woman's maiden name.

Common mistake

Traditionally used for women's maiden names; using it for a man's birth name ("né") is far rarer and uses a different spelling.

Common pairings
née Smith formerly known as

Word forms

Nees plural

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Etymology

Borrowed from French née, the feminine past participle of naître ("to be born").

Origin: French

Related words

Rhymes for nee

See all rhymes for nee →

Frequently asked questions

What does “nee” mean?

The word “nee” means used before a woman's maiden name to show the name she was born with, before marriage. In plain terms, placed before someone's birth surname, typically a woman's maiden name.

How do you pronounce “nee”?

“Nee” is pronounced nay (/neɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “nee” in a sentence?

Here is “nee” used in a sentence: “Mrs. Sarah Clarke, née Thompson, gave the opening speech.”

What part of speech is “nee”?

“Nee” is an adjective.

Where does the word “nee” come from?

The word “nee” comes from French. Borrowed from French née, the feminine past participle of naître ("to be born").

Is “nee” a common word?

“Nee” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial