noun
Uncommon
Portsmouth
Portsmouth (noun) means a port city in southern England, and the name shared by several cities in the United States and elsewhere. Example: “The ferry departs from Portsmouth on the English south coast.”
noun
1
A port city in southern England, and the name shared by several cities in the United States and elsewhere.
"The ferry departs from Portsmouth on the English south coast."
How to use Portsmouth
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA city name, most famously the English naval port, also found in several US states.
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The ferry departs from _____ on the English south coast.
Etymology
From Old English Portesmuða, literally "the mouth of the harbor."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Portsmouth
south
mouth
youth
uncouth
vermouth
badmouth
Plymouth
Falmouth
bigmouth
loudmouth
Dartmouth
Bournemouth
See all rhymes for Portsmouth →
Frequently asked questions
What does “Portsmouth” mean?
The word “Portsmouth” means a port city in southern England, and the name shared by several cities in the United States and elsewhere. In plain terms, a city name, most famously the English naval port, also found in several US states.
How do you use “Portsmouth” in a sentence?
Here is “Portsmouth” used in a sentence: “The ferry departs from Portsmouth on the English south coast.”
What part of speech is “Portsmouth”?
“Portsmouth” is a noun.
Where does the word “Portsmouth” come from?
The word “Portsmouth” comes from Old English. From Old English Portesmuða, literally "the mouth of the harbor.".
Is “Portsmouth” a common word?
“Portsmouth” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Is Portsmouth in England or the United States?
Both: Portsmouth is a port city in southern England, and the name is also shared by several cities in the United States and elsewhere, so context usually clarifies which location is meant.
Why do multiple cities share the name Portsmouth?
Several English-speaking settlements adopted the name Portsmouth, often reflecting a shared identity as a port town, leading to multiple cities of that name in the United States and other countries beyond the original English city.
Is "Portsmouth" always a proper noun?
Yes, Portsmouth refers specifically to a place name, the port city in southern England or one of the several cities sharing that name elsewhere, so it is always capitalized as a proper noun.
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