name
Common
Lionel
LEYE-uhnl
Lionel (name) means a male first name of Latin of mostly British usage origin.
name
1
A male first name of Latin of mostly British usage origin.
""Yes. You see, I was born under the sign of Leo, though it's not my real name." "What is your real name?" I saw Marcus looking at me, but I couldn't refuse to tell her. "It's Lionel. But don't tell anyone." "Why not?" "Because it's rather a fancy name.""
— L. P. Hartley (1953)
2
The name of a village in Ness, Isle of Lewis, Western Isles council area, Scotland (OS grid ref NB5363). From Scottish Gaelic.
noun
1
archaic A young lion.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Lionel.
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
Word forms
- Plural
- lionels
Etymology
A Middle English diminutive, either of French Léon, from Latin Leo ("lion"), or of the Middle English nickname Lion plus -el, a diminutive suffix.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for Lionel
See all rhymes for Lionel →Frequently asked questions
What does “Lionel” mean?
The word “Lionel” means a male given name from Latin of mostly British usage.
How do you pronounce “Lionel”?
“Lionel” is pronounced LEYE-uhnl (/ˈlaɪənl/ in IPA).
How do you use “Lionel” in a sentence?
Here is “Lionel” used in a sentence: “, Scene IV His grandfather was Lionel, Duke of Clarence, Third son to the third Edward, King of England. Spring crestless yeomen from so deep a root?”
What part of speech is “Lionel”?
Depending on how it is used, “Lionel” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Lionel” come from?
The word “Lionel” comes from Latin. A Middle English diminutive of French Léon, Latin Leo (“lion”), or of the Middle English nickname Lion + -el (diminutive suffix).
Is “Lionel” a common word?
“Lionel” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Lionel” have?
“Lionel” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a male given name from Latin of mostly British usage.
Is "Lionel" a common first name?
"Lionel" is a male given name of mostly British usage, derived from Latin. It also names a village in Ness, Isle of Lewis, in Scotland's Western Isles, and in archaic usage referred to a lion cub.
What does "Lionel" mean in its archaic noun sense?
In archaic usage, "lionel" (lowercase) could mean a lion cub, reflecting its connection to the Latin root for "lion." This sense is not used in modern English.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include Lionel:
