name
Common
Lou
loo
Lou (name) means a short form of the given names Louis, Louisa, or Louise. Example: “Friends just called her Lou for short.”
name
1
A short form of the given names Louis, Louisa, or Louise.
"Friends just called her Lou for short."
2
An informal nickname for the city of St. Louis, Missouri.
"Locals sometimes refer to St. Louis simply as "the Lou.""
How to use Lou
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual short form used for several longer names, and slang for St. Louis.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Lous
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Friends just called her _____ for short.
Etymology
A shortening of Louis/Louise.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Lou
See all rhymes for Lou →Frequently asked questions
What does “Lou” mean?
The word “Lou” means a short form of the given names Louis, Louisa, or Louise. In plain terms, a casual short form used for several longer names, and slang for St. Louis.
How do you pronounce “Lou”?
“Lou” is pronounced loo (/luː/ in IPA).
How do you use “Lou” in a sentence?
Here is “Lou” used in a sentence: “Friends just called her Lou for short.”
What part of speech is “Lou”?
“Lou” is a name.
Is “Lou” a common word?
“Lou” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Lou” have?
“Lou” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short form of the given names Louis, Louisa, or Louise.
Is Lou a boy's name or a girl's name?
Lou works for both. As a short form it stands in for the masculine name Louis and the feminine names Louisa and Louise, so the same nickname can belong to a man or a woman.
What names is Lou short for?
Lou is a short form of the given names Louis, Louisa, and Louise. It can be used on its own as a first name or as a familiar nickname for someone whose full name is one of these.
Why is St. Louis nicknamed 'the Lou'?
'The Lou' is an informal nickname for the city of St. Louis, Missouri, drawn from the second part of the city's name. It is used mainly in casual speech and local culture rather than in formal writing.
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