name
tom
tom
name
1
A common diminutive of the male given name Thomas, also used as a name in its own right.
"Everyone called him Tom instead of Thomas."
noun
1
A male cat.
"The tom prowled the alley behind the house every night."
verb
1
To behave in a servile, deferential way toward a dominant group, especially white authority (offensive slang, derived from "Uncle Tom").
"The character was criticized for how the film had him tom his way through every scene."
How to Use Tom
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often a man's first name (short for Thomas) or a word for a male cat.
When to use it
The verb sense related to "Uncle Tom" is a loaded, offensive term rooted in a racial slur and best avoided.
Word Forms
tommed past tense, tommed past tense, toms plural, Toms plural, toms singular, toms singular
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Everyone called him _____ instead of Thomas.
Etymology
A very old, common personal name; the male-cat sense is shortened from "tomcat."