Susan
Susan (name) means a common female given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "lily.". Example: “Susan started her new job at the hospital on Monday.”
How to use Susan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA popular woman's first name meaning "lily."
Word forms
Susans plural, Susans plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ started her new job at the hospital on Monday.
Etymology
From the biblical name Susanna, from Hebrew shoshannah ("lily"), which itself traces back to an ancient Egyptian word for the flower.
Related words
Rhymes for Susan
See all rhymes for Susan →Frequently asked questions
What does “Susan” mean?
The word “Susan” means a common female given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "lily.". In plain terms, a popular woman's first name meaning "lily.".
How do you pronounce “Susan”?
“Susan” is pronounced SOO-zuhn (/ˈsuː.zən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Susan” in a sentence?
Here is “Susan” used in a sentence: “Susan started her new job at the hospital on Monday.”
What part of speech is “Susan”?
Depending on how it is used, “Susan” can be a name and an adjective.
Where does the word “Susan” come from?
The word “Susan” comes from Hebrew. From the biblical name Susanna, from Hebrew shoshannah ("lily"), which itself traces back to an ancient Egyptian word for the flower.
Is “Susan” a common word?
“Susan” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Susan” have?
“Susan” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a common female given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "lily.".
What is the difference between "Susan," "Susanna," and "Suzanne"?
These are related female names sharing the same Hebrew root meaning "lily." "Susanna" (or "Susannah") is the fuller, older form, "Suzanne" is the French version, and "Susan" is the common shortened English form. All three are used as given names.
What is a "lazy Susan"?
A "lazy Susan" is a rotating tray, usually round, placed on a table or in a cupboard so that dishes or items can be turned within easy reach. Despite using the name "Susan," it refers to the spinning tray, not a person.
What is a "black-eyed Susan"?
A "black-eyed Susan" is a yellow, daisy-like flower with a dark brown centre. It borrows the name "Susan" but names a plant rather than a person. It is a common wildflower and garden flower.
Is "Susan" always capitalised?
Yes. As a given name, "Susan" is a proper noun and is always written with a capital S. It stays capitalised even inside set phrases such as "lazy Susan" and "black-eyed Susan."
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