name
Common
des
dehz
Des (name) means a short, informal form of the given name Desmond. Example: “Everyone at the pub knew him simply as Des.”
name
1
A short, informal form of the given name Desmond.
"Everyone at the pub knew him simply as Des."
noun
1
Short for desflurane, an inhaled anesthetic used in surgery.
"The anesthesiologist adjusted the dose of des during the procedure."
"The nurse checked that the des was flowing before the operation began."
"Some surgeons prefer des because patients wake up quickly afterwards."
How to use des
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually a nickname for Desmond; in medicine, shorthand for the anesthetic desflurane.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like des.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Everyone at the pub knew him simply as _____.
Synonyms
View more →
diethylstilbestrol
diethylstilbesterol
stilboestrol
diethylstilboestrol
stilbestrol
stilbesterol
Frequently asked questions
What does “des” mean?
The word “des” means a short, informal form of the given name Desmond. In plain terms, usually a nickname for Desmond; in medicine, shorthand for the anesthetic desflurane.
How do you pronounce “des”?
“Des” is pronounced dehz (/dɛz/ in IPA).
How do you use “des” in a sentence?
Here is “des” used in a sentence: “Everyone at the pub knew him simply as Des.”
What part of speech is “des”?
Depending on how it is used, “des” can be a name and a noun.
Is “des” a common word?
“Des” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “des” have?
“Des” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short, informal form of the given name Desmond.
Is "Des" short for Desmond?
Yes, "Des" is a short, informal form of the given name Desmond. It is used as a nickname rather than a full formal name.
Does "Des" only refer to the name Desmond?
No. While "Des" is commonly a nickname for Desmond, it is also used as an abbreviation for desflurane, a surgical anaesthetic. The intended meaning depends entirely on context.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include des:
