name
Uncommon
Elgin
EHL-gihn
Elgin (name) means a surname and place name, most notably a town in Moray, Scotland, and the earldom associated with it. Example: “The Elgin Marbles are named after the Earl of Elgin, who removed them from the Parthenon.”
name
1
A surname and place name, most notably a town in Moray, Scotland, and the earldom associated with it.
"The Elgin Marbles are named after the Earl of Elgin, who removed them from the Parthenon."
How to use Elgin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA Scottish surname and town name, also used for several towns in North America.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Elgin.
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
Word forms
- Plural
- Elgins
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ Marbles are named after the Earl of Elgin, who removed them from the Parthenon.
Etymology
As a Scottish surname and place name, from Elgin, Moray, itself from Scottish Gaelic Eilginn.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Elgin” mean?
The word “Elgin” means a surname and place name, most notably a town in Moray, Scotland, and the earldom associated with it. In plain terms, a Scottish surname and town name, also used for several towns in North America.
How do you pronounce “Elgin”?
“Elgin” is pronounced EHL-gihn (/ˈɛlɡɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “Elgin” in a sentence?
Here is “Elgin” used in a sentence: “The Elgin Marbles are named after the Earl of Elgin, who removed them from the Parthenon.”
What part of speech is “Elgin”?
“Elgin” is a name.
Where does the word “Elgin” come from?
The word “Elgin” comes from Scottish Gaelic. As a Scottish surname and place name, from Elgin, Moray, itself from Scottish Gaelic Eilginn.
Is “Elgin” a common word?
“Elgin” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include Elgin:
