noun
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for noun, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A word that names a person, place, thing, or idea.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use noun
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman noun ("name"), from Latin nomen, "name" — the same root that gives us "nominate" and "name."
Full origin of noun →Frequently asked questions
What does “noun” mean?
The word “noun” means a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. In plain terms, one of the basic building blocks of a sentence — a naming word.
How do you pronounce “noun”?
“Noun” is pronounced nown (/naʊn/ in IPA).
How do you use “noun” in a sentence?
Here is “noun” used in a sentence: “"Dog," "London," and "happiness" are all nouns.”
What is another word for “noun”?
Words with a similar meaning to “noun” include name, nameword, substantive noun, substantive, naming word and noun substantive.
What part of speech is “noun”?
“Noun” is a noun.
Where does the word “noun” come from?
The word “noun” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman noun ("name"), from Latin nomen, "name" — the same root that gives us "nominate" and "name.".
Is “noun” a common word?
“Noun” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between a noun and a pronoun?
A noun names a person, place, thing, or idea directly, such as 'teacher' or 'city,' while a pronoun replaces a noun to avoid repetition, such as 'she' or 'it.' Pronouns depend on context to identify which noun they refer to.
What is the difference between a common noun and a proper noun?
A common noun names a general person, place, thing, or idea, such as 'city' or 'dog,' while a proper noun names a specific one, such as 'Paris' or 'Rex,' and is always capitalized. This distinction affects both meaning and capitalization rules.
Can a noun function as an adjective?
Yes, a noun can act as a modifier before another noun, forming what is called a noun adjunct, as in 'coffee cup' or 'school bus,' where the first noun describes the second without changing its own word class.