Pennsylvania
3 synonyms for Pennsylvania, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Name — A state in the northeastern United States, named for its founder William Penn, with "sylvania" meaning "woodland".
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.
the Keystone State
Penn's Woods
Etymology
From "Penn" plus Latin "sylvania" ("woodlands"), meaning "Penn's woods", named by King Charles II in honor of William Penn's father.
Full origin of Pennsylvania →Frequently asked questions
What does “Pennsylvania” mean?
The word “Pennsylvania” means a state in the northeastern United States, named for its founder William Penn, with "sylvania" meaning "woodland".
How do you pronounce “Pennsylvania”?
“Pennsylvania” is pronounced pehn-sihl-VAY-nee-uh (/ˌpɛn.sɪlˈveɪ.ni.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Pennsylvania” in a sentence?
Here is “Pennsylvania” used in a sentence: “Pennsylvania was one of the original thirteen colonies.”
What part of speech is “Pennsylvania”?
“Pennsylvania” is a name.
Where does the word “Pennsylvania” come from?
The word “Pennsylvania” comes from Latin. From "Penn" plus Latin "sylvania" ("woodlands"), meaning "Penn's woods", named by King Charles II in honor of William Penn's father.
Is “Pennsylvania” a common word?
“Pennsylvania” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What does the name Pennsylvania mean?
Pennsylvania combines the surname of its founder, William Penn, with the Latin word "sylvania," meaning woodland or forest. Together it reads roughly as "Penn's woods." The name was actually chosen by King Charles II to honour Penn's father, an admiral, when the land was granted in 1681.
What is Pennsylvania known for?
Pennsylvania is one of the original thirteen American colonies and played a central role in the country's founding, hosting the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. It is also known for its forests, historic industry, and cities such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Where is Pennsylvania located?
Pennsylvania sits in the northeastern United States, bordered by New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Ohio, with a small shoreline on Lake Erie. It is one of the Mid-Atlantic states and lies between the East Coast and the Midwest.
Related words
Pensilvania
Pensylvania
