name
Uncommon
Ethel
EH-thihl
Ethel (name) means a female first name of Old English, popular at the turn of the 20th century origin.
name
1
A female first name of Old English, popular at the turn of the 20th century origin.
"If it is so false, and base, and hollow, this great world […] why does Ethel Newcome cling to it? Will you be fairer, dear, with any other name than your own?"
— William Makepeace Thackeray (1855)
2
The name of several places in the United States, including an unincorporated community within Arkansas County, Arkansas.
3
The name of several places in the United States, including an unincorporated community within Greenfield Township, Orange County, Indiana.
4
The name of several places in the United States, including an unincorporated community within East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana.
5
The name of several places in the United States, including a town within Attala County, Mississippi.
6
The name of several places in the United States, including a town within Macon County, Missouri.
7
The name of several places in the United States, including an unincorporated community within Pushmataha County, Oklahoma.
8
The name of several places in the United States, including an unincorporated community within Richmond County, Virginia.
9
The name of several places in the United States, including an unincorporated community within Lewis County, Washington.
10
The name of several places in the United States, including an unincorporated community within Logan County, West Virginia.
11
The name of a hamlet in Huron County, Ontario, Canada.
noun
1
The name of the runic letter ᛟ.
2
The name used for the letter Œ or œ in the Latin alphabet.
adj
1
archaic Meaning noble.
"[…] that he was of a doughty and ethel stirp. His ayle and eam had both been bellipotent; […]"
— Samuel Klinefelter Hoshour (1856)
"The violation of an ethel born or noble woman was paid for by a higher murde than that of an un-ethel or common person. The murder of all persons was in like manner paid for by a were or were-geld, nicely adjusted to their relative rank."
— Henry Brougham (1861)
""I have come to seek your counsel in your most ethel of ethical capacities. My problem is wholly mechanical.""
— The Judge (1921)
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Ethel.
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
Etymology
A short form of names of Old English origin beginning with Ethel-, æþele (“noble”). It was first used in the 19th century, and is cognate with the Germanic Adela and Adele.
Class of 1800
Ethel joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for Ethel
See all rhymes for Ethel →Frequently asked questions
What does “Ethel” mean?
The word “Ethel” means a female given name from Old English, popular at the turn of the 20th century.
How do you pronounce “Ethel”?
“Ethel” is pronounced EH-thihl (/ˈɛθɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “Ethel” in a sentence?
Here is “Ethel” used in a sentence: “"I have come to seek your counsel in your most ethel of ethical capacities. My problem is wholly mechanical.".”
What is another word for “Ethel”?
Words with a similar meaning to “Ethel” include odal.
What part of speech is “Ethel”?
Depending on how it is used, “Ethel” can be a name, a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “Ethel” come from?
The word “Ethel” dates back to around 1800 and comes from Old English. Short form of names of Old English origin beginning with Ethel-, æþele (“noble”). First used in the 19th century. Cognate to the Germanic Adela and Adele.
Is “Ethel” a common word?
“Ethel” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Ethel” have?
“Ethel” has 14 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a female given name from Old English, popular at the turn of the 20th century.
