name Common

Phillips

FIH-lihps

Phillips (name) means a common surname, originally meaning "son of Philip.". Example: “The Phillips family has lived in that house for generations.”

name

A common surname, originally meaning "son of Philip."

"The Phillips family has lived in that house for generations."

noun

Short for a Phillips screwdriver, or the cross-shaped screw head it fits.

"Grab the phillips, not the flathead, for these screws."

How to use Phillips

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA common surname; also everyday shorthand for a Phillips screwdriver.

Common pairings

Phillips screwdriver Phillips head

Word forms

Phillipses plural, Phillips plural, Phillipses plural

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The _____ family has lived in that house for generations.

Etymology

Formed from the name Phillip plus the possessive/patronymic "-s."

Synonyms

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cross-head

Frequently asked questions

What does “Phillips” mean?

The word “Phillips” means a common surname, originally meaning "son of Philip.". In plain terms, a common surname; also everyday shorthand for a Phillips screwdriver.

How do you pronounce “Phillips”?

“Phillips” is pronounced FIH-lihps (/ˈfɪlɪps/ in IPA).

How do you use “Phillips” in a sentence?

Here is “Phillips” used in a sentence: “The Phillips family has lived in that house for generations.”

What part of speech is “Phillips”?

Depending on how it is used, “Phillips” can be a name and a noun.

Is “Phillips” a common word?

“Phillips” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Phillips” have?

“Phillips” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a common surname, originally meaning "son of Philip.".

What is the difference between a Phillips and a flathead screwdriver?

A Phillips screwdriver has a cross-shaped tip that fits screws with a matching cross-shaped recess in the head. A flathead, or slotted, screwdriver has a single flat blade for screws with one straight slot.

Why is it called a Phillips screwdriver?

It is named after Henry F. Phillips, the American businessman whose company promoted the cross-head screw design for industrial assembly. The surname itself originally meant "son of Philip."

What is the difference between Phillips and Philips?

Phillips with two Ls is the usual spelling of the surname and of the cross-head screwdriver. Philips with one L is the Dutch electronics company, which is unconnected to the screwdriver name.

Should Phillips be capitalised when talking about screwdrivers?

In careful writing, yes, because it comes from a surname: a Phillips screwdriver or a Phillips-head screw. Lowercase phillips appears in informal writing, but style guides treat the capital letter as standard.