Franklin
6 synonyms for Franklin, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Historically, a free landowner in medieval England who ranked just below the nobility.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From Middle English frankelein, "freeholder," ultimately related to "frank" (free) — a franklin was a free man who owned land but wasn't nobility.
Full origin of Franklin →Frequently asked questions
What does “Franklin” mean?
The word “Franklin” means historically, a free landowner in medieval England who ranked just below the nobility. In plain terms, an old English term for a commoner landowner, and modern slang for a $100 bill.
How do you pronounce “Franklin”?
“Franklin” is pronounced FRANGK-lihn (/ˈfɹæŋklɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “Franklin” in a sentence?
Here is “Franklin” used in a sentence: “The franklin in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales is known for his generous hospitality.”
What part of speech is “Franklin”?
“Franklin” is a noun.
Where does the word “Franklin” come from?
The word “Franklin” comes from Middle English. From Middle English frankelein, "freeholder," ultimately related to "frank" (free) — a franklin was a free man who owned land but wasn't nobility.
Is “Franklin” a common word?
“Franklin” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Franklin” have?
“Franklin” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: historically, a free landowner in medieval England who ranked just below the nobility.
What was a franklin in medieval England?
A franklin was a free landowner in medieval England who held his own land but ranked just below the nobility. Franklins were prosperous commoners rather than titled lords.
What is the difference between a "franklin" and a "yeoman"?
Both were free, land-holding commoners in medieval and later England, but a franklin generally ranked higher, just below the nobility, and typically held more land. A yeoman was a respectable freeholder of somewhat lower standing.
Should "franklin" be capitalized?
When it refers to the historical rank of a free landowner, "franklin" is a common noun and is written in lowercase. The slang term for a hundred-dollar bill is often capitalized as "Franklin" because it derives from Benjamin Franklin's name.
