noun
Common
Oliver
O-lih-vuh
Oliver (noun) means a given name, historically also used as a common English male first name and surname. Example: “Their son is named Oliver, after his grandfather.”
noun
1
A given name, historically also used as a common English male first name and surname.
"Their son is named Oliver, after his grandfather."
How to use Oliver
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA traditional male given name, popular in the English-speaking world for centuries and still common today.
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Word forms
- Plural
- olivers
- Comparative
- more Oliver
- Superlative
- most Oliver
Fill the gap
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Their son is named _____, after his grandfather.
Etymology
Came into English through Old French Olivier, ultimately linked to the Old Norse name Óleifr — the same root that gives us "Olaf."
Rhymes for Oliver
See all rhymes for Oliver →Frequently asked questions
What does “Oliver” mean?
The word “Oliver” means a given name, historically also used as a common English male first name and surname. In plain terms, a traditional male given name, popular in the English-speaking world for centuries and still common today.
How do you pronounce “Oliver”?
“Oliver” is pronounced O-lih-vuh (/ˈɑlɪvɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Oliver” in a sentence?
Here is “Oliver” used in a sentence: “Their son is named Oliver, after his grandfather.”
What part of speech is “Oliver”?
“Oliver” is a noun.
Where does the word “Oliver” come from?
The word “Oliver” comes from Old French. Came into English through Old French Olivier, ultimately linked to the Old Norse name Óleifr — the same root that gives us "Olaf.".
Is “Oliver” a common word?
“Oliver” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is Oliver a boy's or girl's name?
Oliver is traditionally a male given name. It has long been used as an English male first name and also appears as a surname.
Is Oliver a first name or a surname?
Both. Oliver is chiefly a male given name, but it has historically also been used as an English surname.
Is Oliver always capitalized?
Yes. As a proper noun, Oliver is always written with a capital O, whether it is used as a first name or as a surname.
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