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noun Common

Hamilton

HA-mihl-tuhn
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Hamilton (noun) means a common surname of Scottish origin, also used as a male given name; also the name of several cities and towns around the world, most famously in New Zealand, Ontario (Canada), and Bermuda. Example: “Her grandfather, Mr. Hamilton, moved to Hamilton, New Zealand as a young man.”

noun
1
A common surname of Scottish origin, also used as a male given name; also the name of several cities and towns around the world, most famously in New Zealand, Ontario (Canada), and Bermuda.
"Her grandfather, Mr. Hamilton, moved to Hamilton, New Zealand as a young man."
2
Informal slang for a United States ten-dollar bill, from the portrait of Alexander Hamilton on it.
"He slipped the valet a hamilton and told him to keep the change."
"All these products cost around $30 each, but although you can use other methods to accomplish the same result without any cost at all, we think the simplicity of using a single program is well worth a few Hamiltons." — Brian Johnson, Duncan Mackenzie (2007)

How to use Hamilton

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMostly a surname/place name; casually it can also mean a ten-dollar bill.

Common pairings
a Hamilton (ten-dollar bill) Hamilton, Ontario Hamilton, New Zealand
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Word forms

Plural
Hamiltons
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Her grandfather, Mr. _____, moved to Hamilton, New Zealand as a young man.

Etymology

The surname comes from an Old English place name meaning roughly "flat-topped hill," originally a manor in Leicestershire. The many towns and cities called Hamilton around the world were mostly named after settlers or officials who carried the surname, including Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, whose face gives the ten-dollar bill its nickname.

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for Hamilton

Milton Wilton Hilton Stilton
See all rhymes for Hamilton →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Hamilton” mean?
The word “Hamilton” means a common surname of Scottish origin, also used as a male given name; also the name of several cities and towns around the world, most famously in New Zealand, Ontario (Canada), and Bermuda. In plain terms, mostly a surname/place name; casually it can also mean a ten-dollar bill.
How do you pronounce “Hamilton”?
“Hamilton” is pronounced HA-mihl-tuhn (/ˈhæmɪltən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Hamilton” in a sentence?
Here is “Hamilton” used in a sentence: “Her grandfather, Mr. Hamilton, moved to Hamilton, New Zealand as a young man.”
What part of speech is “Hamilton”?
“Hamilton” is a noun.
Where does the word “Hamilton” come from?
The word “Hamilton” comes from Old English.
Is “Hamilton” a common word?
“Hamilton” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Hamilton” have?
“Hamilton” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a common surname of Scottish origin, also used as a male given name; also the name of several cities and towns around the world, most famously in New Zealand, Ontario (Canada), and Bermuda.
Which city is called Hamilton?
Hamilton is the name of several places worldwide, most notably the largest city in New Zealand's Waikato region, a city in Ontario, Canada, and the capital of Bermuda. The context of the sentence usually makes clear which is meant.
Why is a ten-dollar bill called a 'Hamilton'?
In informal American slang, a 'Hamilton' means a ten-dollar bill because the note bears a portrait of Alexander Hamilton. This mirrors slang like 'Lincoln' for a five-dollar bill.
Is 'Hamilton' a first name or a surname?
Hamilton is primarily a surname of Scottish origin, but it is also used as a male given name. Because it works both ways, some people carry it as a first name and others as a last name.

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