ampersand

What is another word for ampersand? Here is its meaning, with related words and examples.

Noun — The symbol &, used to represent the word 'and'.

We haven't recorded synonyms for ampersand yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.

How to use ampersand

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

use an ampersand join with an ampersand company name with an ampersand an ampersand symbol

Mostly seen in names, logos and informal writing rather than formal prose.

Etymology

The noun comes from a British regional or informal way of saying the phrase 'and per se and', meaning roughly 'the & symbol by itself, standing for and'. This phrase was used to keep the & symbol separate from the abbreviation &c. for et cetera. The spelling ampersand itself is first recorded from 1795.

Full origin of ampersand →

Frequently asked questions

What does the ampersand symbol mean?

It stands for the word 'and', showing that two things are joined together.

Where does the word ampersand come from?

It comes from the old phrase 'and per se and', meaning '& by itself, and', and the spelling ampersand was first recorded in 1795.

When should you use an ampersand instead of and?

It's typically used in company names, logos and informal notes, rather than in formal running text.

Nearby words

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