noun
Common
don
don
Don (noun) means a senior member of the teaching staff at a British university, especially Oxford or Cambridge. Example: “The elderly don had taught classics at the college for forty years.”
noun
1
A senior member of the teaching staff at a British university, especially Oxford or Cambridge.
"The elderly don had taught classics at the college for forty years."
"The don invited his best students to his rooms for sherry and a debate."
"A famous don at the university gave a lecture about medieval poetry."
2
A leader in an organized crime family, especially in the Mafia.
"The don ran the entire operation from a back room of his restaurant."
"In the film, the old don was respected and feared by everyone in the neighbourhood."
"Nobody dared to disagree with the don at the head of the table."
verb
1
To put on an item of clothing.
"Firefighters donned their protective gear before entering the building."
"He likes to don a dressing gown and slippers as soon as he gets home."
"Please don your hard hats before you enter the building site."
How to use don
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: a university teacher, a mafia boss, or (as a verb) to put clothing on.
Common mistake
The verb sense ("don a coat") is fairly formal/literary — in everyday speech people usually just say "put on."
Common pairings
don a uniform
university don
mafia don
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Word forms
- Plural
- dons
- Third person singular
- dons
- Past tense
- donned
Fill the gap
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The elderly _____ had taught classics at the college for forty years.
Etymology
From Spanish/Italian don, a title of respect, ultimately from Latin dominus, "lord, master."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “don” mean?
The word “don” means a senior member of the teaching staff at a British university, especially Oxford or Cambridge. In plain terms, depending on context: a university teacher, a mafia boss, or (as a verb) to put clothing on.
How do you pronounce “don”?
“Don” is pronounced don (/dɑn/ in IPA).
How do you use “don” in a sentence?
Here is “don” used in a sentence: “The elderly don had taught classics at the college for forty years.”
What part of speech is “don”?
Depending on how it is used, “don” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “don” come from?
The word “don” comes from Latin. From Spanish/Italian don, a title of respect, ultimately from Latin dominus, "lord, master.".
Is “don” a common word?
“Don” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “don” have?
“Don” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a senior member of the teaching staff at a British university, especially Oxford or Cambridge.
What is the difference between a don and a professor?
A don is a general term for any senior teaching or academic staff member at a British university, particularly Oxford or Cambridge. A professor holds a specific, higher-ranking title, usually the most senior academic position in a department. Every professor may be called a don, but not every don is a professor.
What does a don do at Oxford or Cambridge?
A don teaches, supervises, and mentors students, often through the tutorial system where small groups or individuals meet regularly for close instruction. Dons also pursue their own research, sit on college committees, and help run the affairs of their college. The role blends teaching, scholarship, and academic administration.
Where does the word 'don' come from?
The academic sense comes from the Latin 'dominus,' meaning lord or master, which also gave Spanish and Italian the respectful title 'don.' British universities adopted it for their learned masters. The same root explains why a Mafia boss is called a don — both senses imply a figure of authority and respect.
Does 'don' have other meanings?
Yes. As a verb, to 'don' something means to put on clothing, as in donning a coat or a uniform. 'Don' is also a respectful Spanish or Italian title placed before a man's name, and informally it can refer to the head of a Mafia family. Context makes the intended meaning clear.
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