name
Uncommon
Elvis
EHL-vihs
Elvis (name) means a male given name, made famous worldwide by singer Elvis Presley (1935-1977). Example: “Elvis Presley helped popularise rock and roll in the 1950s.”
name
1
A male given name, made famous worldwide by singer Elvis Presley (1935-1977).
"Elvis Presley helped popularise rock and roll in the 1950s."
noun
1
A performer who impersonates Elvis Presley.
"An Elvis in a sequined jumpsuit sang at the wedding reception."
How to use Elvis
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA given name, now inseparable in popular culture from Elvis Presley; also someone who performs as him.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Elvises, Elvii
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ Presley helped popularise rock and roll in the 1950s.
Etymology
The name derives from the anglicised form of the Welsh Saint Ailbe (also called Saint Elvis); its modern fame comes almost entirely from singer Elvis Presley.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Elvis
See all rhymes for Elvis →Frequently asked questions
What does “Elvis” mean?
The word “Elvis” means a male given name, made famous worldwide by singer Elvis Presley (1935-1977). In plain terms, a given name, now inseparable in popular culture from Elvis Presley; also someone who performs as him.
How do you pronounce “Elvis”?
“Elvis” is pronounced EHL-vihs (/ˈɛlvɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “Elvis” in a sentence?
Here is “Elvis” used in a sentence: “Elvis Presley helped popularise rock and roll in the 1950s.”
What part of speech is “Elvis”?
Depending on how it is used, “Elvis” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Elvis” come from?
The word “Elvis” comes from Welsh. The name derives from the anglicised form of the Welsh Saint Ailbe (also called Saint Elvis); its modern fame comes almost entirely from singer Elvis Presley.
Is “Elvis” a common word?
“Elvis” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Elvis” have?
“Elvis” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a male given name, made famous worldwide by singer Elvis Presley (1935-1977).
What is an "Elvis" as a common noun?
Beyond the given name, "an Elvis" refers to a performer who impersonates Elvis Presley, typically dressing and singing in his style at events such as weddings or tribute shows. This usage treats the name as a role or job description rather than an actual identity.
Why is the name Elvis so strongly associated with one person?
The name Elvis became globally famous almost entirely because of singer Elvis Presley (1935-1977), whose fame was so widespread that the name is now closely tied to him in most people's minds. This is why hiring "an Elvis" for an event clearly means an impersonator of him specifically.
Do you capitalize "Elvis" when referring to an impersonator?
Yes, "Elvis" stays capitalized even when used generically for an impersonator, such as "they hired an Elvis for the party," because it still directly references the proper name.
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