noun
Uncommon
Lafayette
la-fee-EHT
Lafayette (noun) means a silvery coastal fish (also called the spot or goody) common along the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Example: “Fishermen along the pier were reeling in lafayette all afternoon.”
noun
1
A silvery coastal fish (also called the spot or goody) common along the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States.
"Fishermen along the pier were reeling in lafayette all afternoon."
name
1
The Marquis de Lafayette, a French nobleman who fought alongside the Americans in the Revolutionary War and is honored as a hero in both countries.
"Lafayette's statue stands near the White House in his memory."
How to use Lafayette
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMostly a historical name (the Marquis de Lafayette) and the source of many US place names; also, less commonly, a small Atlantic fish.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Lafayettes
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Fishermen along the pier were reeling in _____ all afternoon.
Etymology
From an Occitan-derived French surname meaning roughly "the little beech tree"; the many American towns named Lafayette honor the Marquis directly.
Rhymes for Lafayette
See all rhymes for Lafayette →Frequently asked questions
What does “Lafayette” mean?
The word “Lafayette” means a silvery coastal fish (also called the spot or goody) common along the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. In plain terms, mostly a historical name (the Marquis de Lafayette) and the source of many US place names; also, less commonly, a small Atlantic fish.
How do you pronounce “Lafayette”?
“Lafayette” is pronounced la-fee-EHT (/ˌlæfiːˈɛt/ in IPA).
How do you use “Lafayette” in a sentence?
Here is “Lafayette” used in a sentence: “Fishermen along the pier were reeling in lafayette all afternoon.”
What part of speech is “Lafayette”?
Depending on how it is used, “Lafayette” can be a noun and a name.
Where does the word “Lafayette” come from?
The word “Lafayette” comes from French. From an Occitan-derived French surname meaning roughly "the little beech tree"; the many American towns named Lafayette honor the Marquis directly.
Is “Lafayette” a common word?
“Lafayette” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Lafayette” have?
“Lafayette” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a silvery coastal fish (also called the spot or goody) common along the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States.
