Bruce
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.”
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."
Word forms
bruces plural
Fill the gap
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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