noun
Common
Steven
STEE-vuhn
Steven (noun) means (archaic) A loud voice, or the sound of one's voice. Example: “He called out with such a steven that the whole valley echoed.”
noun
1
(archaic) A loud voice, or the sound of one's voice.
"He called out with such a steven that the whole valley echoed."
"Thomas's steven roughened and rose."
— James Meek, To Calais (2019)
2
(archaic) A formal request, appeal, or command.
"The villagers sent a steven to the lord asking for mercy."
How to use Steven
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old English word for a voice or a formal appeal — almost never used outside historical or dialect writing today.
Common mistake
Don't confuse this archaic noun with the everyday given name Steven, which has a completely different origin.
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Word forms
- Plural
- stevens
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He called out with such a _____ that the whole valley echoed.
Etymology
From Old English stefn, meaning "voice," unrelated in origin to the given name Steven, which comes instead from Greek Stephanos ("crown").
Related words
Rhymes for Steven
See all rhymes for Steven →Frequently asked questions
What does “Steven” mean?
The word “Steven” means (archaic) A loud voice, or the sound of one's voice. In plain terms, an old English word for a voice or a formal appeal — almost never used outside historical or dialect writing today.
How do you pronounce “Steven”?
“Steven” is pronounced STEE-vuhn (/ˈstiːvən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Steven” in a sentence?
Here is “Steven” used in a sentence: “He called out with such a steven that the whole valley echoed.”
What part of speech is “Steven”?
“Steven” is a noun.
Where does the word “Steven” come from?
The word “Steven” comes from Old English. From Old English stefn, meaning "voice," unrelated in origin to the given name Steven, which comes instead from Greek Stephanos ("crown").
Is “Steven” a common word?
“Steven” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Steven” have?
“Steven” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: (archaic) A loud voice, or the sound of one's voice.
Is "steven" still used in modern English?
No. As a common noun, "steven" is archaic, meaning it is no longer used in everyday modern English. It survives mainly in old poetry, dialect, and historical texts, where it meant a loud voice or a formal request.
What is the difference between the name "Steven" and the word "steven"?
Capitalised, "Steven" is a common male given name. Lowercase, "steven" is an archaic noun meaning a loud voice, the sound of one's voice, or a formal appeal. Only the name is in ordinary modern use.
In what kind of writing might you come across "steven"?
You are most likely to meet "steven" in Middle English and older poetry, medieval texts, and some regional dialect. Because it is archaic, it usually needs a glossary or footnote to explain that it refers to a voice or a formal request.
