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

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

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 notes

In plain EnglishMostly a historical name (the Marquis de Lafayette) and the source of many US place names; also, less commonly, a small Atlantic fish.

Word forms

Lafayettes plural, lafayettes plural, LaFayettes plural

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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.

Origin: French

Rhymes for Lafayette

Bette Vette Yvette palette gazette rosette Annette Lynette Colette Lisette Janette Suzette

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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.