name
Common
Bruce
broos
Bruce (name) means a male given name and Scottish surname, historically associated with Robert the Bruce. Example: “Bruce coached the youth team for over a decade.”
name
1
A male given name and Scottish surname, historically associated with Robert the Bruce.
"Bruce coached the youth team for over a decade."
noun
1
(Australian slang, dated) A generic or stereotypical name for an Australian man.
"The comedy sketch poked fun at "Bruce," the archetypal Aussie bloke."
How to use Bruce
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common given name and surname; in dated Australian slang, also a generic stand-in name for "an Australian man."
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Word forms
- Plural
- bruces
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Can you complete this real example?
_____ coached the youth team for over a decade.
Etymology
From a Norman place name, possibly Brix in France, brought to Scotland by the Bruce family in the Middle Ages.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Bruce
See all rhymes for Bruce →Frequently asked questions
What does “Bruce” mean?
The word “Bruce” means a male given name and Scottish surname, historically associated with Robert the Bruce. In plain terms, a common given name and surname; in dated Australian slang, also a generic stand-in name for "an Australian man.".
How do you pronounce “Bruce”?
“Bruce” is pronounced broos (/bɹuːs/ in IPA).
How do you use “Bruce” in a sentence?
Here is “Bruce” used in a sentence: “Bruce coached the youth team for over a decade.”
What part of speech is “Bruce”?
Depending on how it is used, “Bruce” can be a name and a noun.
Is “Bruce” a common word?
“Bruce” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Bruce” have?
“Bruce” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a male given name and Scottish surname, historically associated with Robert the Bruce.
What is the difference between Bruce as a first name and Bruce as a surname?
Bruce works as both a male given name and a Scottish surname. As a surname it is historically associated with Robert the Bruce, while as a first name it stands on its own with no requirement of any family connection.
Why do people use 'Bruce' as a stereotypical name for an Australian man?
In dated Australian slang, 'Bruce' is used as a generic or stereotypical name for an Australian man, much like calling someone an 'average Joe' in other varieties of English. This use is informal and old-fashioned, and is usually meant humorously rather than as a real name.
Should the name Bruce always be capitalized?
Yes. As a given name or surname, Bruce is a proper noun and should always begin with a capital B. Even in the Australian slang sense, it keeps the capital because it is drawn directly from the personal name.
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