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noun Uncommon

Saxon

SAK-suhn
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Saxon (noun) means a member of an ancient Germanic people who lived near the North Sea coast of what is now northern Germany, some of whom later settled in Britain. Example: “The Saxons arrived in Britain in the 5th century and gradually settled much of the east and south.”

noun
1
A member of an ancient Germanic people who lived near the North Sea coast of what is now northern Germany, some of whom later settled in Britain.
"The Saxons arrived in Britain in the 5th century and gradually settled much of the east and south."
"Historians still debate how large the original Saxon migration actually was."
2
A native of Saxony, a region and modern state in eastern Germany.
"His grandmother was a Saxon who grew up near Dresden."
adj
1
Relating to the Saxons, their language, or Saxony.
"The museum has a fine collection of Saxon jewellery."
"Old English is sometimes called Anglo-Saxon."

How to use Saxon

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRefers to the Germanic people who helped found early England, or to people/things from the German region of Saxony.

Common mistake

"Anglo-Saxon" refers specifically to the early English people and language, while "Saxon" alone can also mean someone from modern Saxony in Germany — context decides which is meant.

Common pairings
Anglo-Saxon Saxon invaders Old Saxon
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Word forms

Plural
Saxons
Comparative
more Saxon
Superlative
most Saxon
Test yourself on “Saxon” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ arrived in Britain in the 5th century and gradually settled much of the east and south.

Etymology

From Old English Seaxan, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "knife" — the Saxons were named after the short single-edged blade, the seax, they were known for carrying.

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for Saxon

axon klaxon
See all rhymes for Saxon →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Saxon” mean?
The word “Saxon” means a member of an ancient Germanic people who lived near the North Sea coast of what is now northern Germany, some of whom later settled in Britain. In plain terms, refers to the Germanic people who helped found early England, or to people/things from the German region of Saxony.
How do you pronounce “Saxon”?
“Saxon” is pronounced SAK-suhn (/ˈsæksən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Saxon” in a sentence?
Here is “Saxon” used in a sentence: “The Saxons arrived in Britain in the 5th century and gradually settled much of the east and south.”
What part of speech is “Saxon”?
Depending on how it is used, “Saxon” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “Saxon” come from?
The word “Saxon” comes from Old English. From Old English Seaxan, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "knife" — the Saxons were named after the short single-edged blade, the seax, they were known for carrying.
Is “Saxon” a common word?
“Saxon” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Saxon” have?
“Saxon” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a member of an ancient Germanic people who lived near the North Sea coast of what is now northern Germany, some of whom later settled in Britain.
What is the difference between Saxon and Anglo-Saxon?
Saxon refers to a member of the ancient Germanic people who lived near the North Sea coast of what is now northern Germany. Anglo-Saxon specifically describes the Saxons and related Germanic groups who settled in Britain, along with the culture and language that developed there afterward.
Does Saxon always refer to Britain?
No. Saxon can also refer to a native of Saxony, a region and modern state in eastern Germany, which is a separate meaning from the historical Germanic people who settled in Britain. Context usually clarifies which sense is meant.
Is Saxon capitalized as an adjective?
Yes, Saxon is capitalized whether it is used as a noun for the people or region, or as an adjective describing something relating to the Saxons, their language, or Saxony, since it derives from a proper name.