namesake
Namesake (noun) means a person or thing named after someone or something else, or the person that gave their name. Example: “The ship was a namesake of its famous predecessor.”
How to use namesake
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone or something that shares a name with, or was named in honour of, someone else.
It can point in either direction — the person named after someone, or the original person the name comes from.
Word forms
namesaked past tense, namesakes plural, namesakes singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The ship was a _____ of its famous predecessor.
Etymology
From the 17th-century phrase "for one's name's sake," used in early Bible translations, ultimately from a Hebrew idiom about protecting someone's reputation.
Rhymes for namesake
See all rhymes for namesake →Frequently asked questions
What does “namesake” mean?
The word “namesake” means a person or thing named after someone or something else, or the person that gave their name. In plain terms, someone or something that shares a name with, or was named in honour of, someone else.
How do you pronounce “namesake”?
“Namesake” is pronounced NAYM-sayk (/ˈneɪmseɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “namesake” in a sentence?
Here is “namesake” used in a sentence: “The ship was a namesake of its famous predecessor.”
What part of speech is “namesake”?
“Namesake” is a noun.
Where does the word “namesake” come from?
The word “namesake” dates back to around 1600 and comes from Hebrew. From the 17th-century phrase "for one's name's sake," used in early Bible translations, ultimately from a Hebrew idiom about protecting someone's reputation.
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