name
Common
Beatles
BEE-tuhlz
Beatles (name) means the name of the influential English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960, consisting of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Example: “The Beatles changed the course of popular music.”
name
1
The name of the influential English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960, consisting of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.
"The Beatles changed the course of popular music."
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Word forms
- Plural
- the Beatles
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ changed the course of popular music.
Etymology
Originally spelled Beatals, punningly referencing the expression beat all (“surpass everything”), then later altered to Beatles, blend of beat + beetles, with beat referring to "beat music" or the "beat" of a drum, and beetles inspired by the contemporaneous band name The Crickets.
Synonyms
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the fab four
Frequently asked questions
What does “Beatles” mean?
The word “Beatles” means the name of the influential English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960, consisting of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.
How do you pronounce “Beatles”?
“Beatles” is pronounced BEE-tuhlz (/ˈbiːtəlz/ in IPA).
How do you use “Beatles” in a sentence?
Here is “Beatles” used in a sentence: “The Beatles changed the course of popular music.”
What part of speech is “Beatles”?
“Beatles” is a name.
Is “Beatles” a common word?
“Beatles” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Why are the Beatles spelled with an "a" instead of "Beetles"?
The spelling is a deliberate pun: it blends "beetles," the insect, with "beat," a nod to the beat music the band played. The play on words is what gives the name its distinctive "a."
Who were the members of the Beatles?
The Beatles were made up of four musicians from Liverpool: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. This is the line-up most associated with the band's fame.
Where and when did the Beatles form?
The Beatles formed in Liverpool, England, in 1960. They went on to become one of the most influential rock bands in history.
Is "the Beatles" singular or plural?
"The Beatles" is a plural noun and takes a plural verb, as in "the Beatles were from Liverpool." Even when the band is thought of as a single group, it is normally treated as plural.
