name
Uncommon
Doris
DO-rihs
Doris (name) means a female given name, popular in Britain and the US in the early 20th century, from the Greek name of a sea-nymph. Example: “Her great-aunt Doris was born in 1922.”
name
1
A female given name, popular in Britain and the US in the early 20th century, from the Greek name of a sea-nymph.
"Her great-aunt Doris was born in 1922."
noun
1
Dated British slang for a wife or girlfriend.
"He was down the pub while his doris cooked dinner."
"Old East End slang used "doris" the way some might now say "the missus.""
How to use Doris
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA traditional female first name, or old-fashioned slang for a female partner.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Dorises
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Her great-aunt _____ was born in 1922.
Etymology
From the Ancient Greek name Doris, a sea-nymph in mythology; the slang sense for "woman" grew out of the name's long popularity in Britain.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Doris
See all rhymes for Doris →Frequently asked questions
What does “Doris” mean?
The word “Doris” means a female given name, popular in Britain and the US in the early 20th century, from the Greek name of a sea-nymph. In plain terms, a traditional female first name, or old-fashioned slang for a female partner.
How do you pronounce “Doris”?
“Doris” is pronounced DO-rihs (/ˈdɔɹɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “Doris” in a sentence?
Here is “Doris” used in a sentence: “Her great-aunt Doris was born in 1922.”
What part of speech is “Doris”?
Depending on how it is used, “Doris” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Doris” come from?
The word “Doris” comes from Ancient Greek. From the Ancient Greek name Doris, a sea-nymph in mythology; the slang sense for "woman" grew out of the name's long popularity in Britain.
Is “Doris” a common word?
“Doris” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Doris” have?
“Doris” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a female given name, popular in Britain and the US in the early 20th century, from the Greek name of a sea-nymph.
What does "Doris" mean as British slang?
In dated British slang, "Doris" is used informally to mean a wife or girlfriend, a usage separate from and unrelated to its role as a personal name.
Is calling someone's partner "the Doris" still common today?
This slang use of "Doris" for a wife or girlfriend is considered dated and is mostly heard in older or nostalgic British speech rather than current everyday usage.
