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to name

to name

∞ 1.0
To say the word that identifies a person or thing
  • verb
  • /neɪm/
: nombrar
  • Name some of your favorite wrestlers.
  • name a few
  • asked to name
  • name students

I had a friend, I won't name him, his mum died.

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Examples

  • All right, Can you name this woman?

  • Can you name three countries in Africa?

  • Figure out what we're gonna name the kids.

  • Name five things that you would expect to find in the military?

  • Next question, name a colour in the rainbow.

  • Teachers, preachers, doctors, athletes, politicians, you name them, it is the same for all of them.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Name your price.

  • Name it.

  • Calgary, for example, boasts at least fifty-nine businesses and organizations named after the warm winter wind.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Having no offspring of her own, Lucrezia named Polirone as her primary heir.

    Academic text (1999)

Synonyms

to call
vsto name
∞ 1.0

To give a name to someone or something and sometimes to say they are a certain kind

means to state that label when referring to someone or something
to mention
vsto name
∞ 1.0

To briefly refer to someone or something in words

is about stating a specific chosen label rather than a brief reference
to identify
vsto name
∞ 1.8

Say who someone is or what something is

focuses on stating a chosen word for someone rather than proving who they are
to bring up
vsto name
752 2.6

To mention a subject for discussion

is used for stating a specific label rather than starting a topic
to list
vsto name
660 1.0

To write down names or items in order

is about stating a single chosen word rather than showing many items
to cite
vsto name
485 3.6

To mention a source to support a statement

focuses on stating a chosen label rather than giving supporting sources
to label
vsto name
201 2.2

To describe someone with a single word or short term

focuses on giving a short identifying word rather than full description
to term
vsto name
  • Formal
54 3.9

To call something by a particular name

is broader, used to state labels for people or objects in general speech
to nickname
vsto name
  • Informal
50 2.0

To give an informal name to a person, place, or thing that shows something about it

is broader, applying to any chosen label formal or informal
to style
vsto name
  • Formal
18 5.9

To call a person or thing by a particular name

refers to giving a label in many situations rather than a formal title
to tag
vsto name
9 2.4

To give someone or something a name, often a short nickname

is the general act of saying or listing a chosen label for someone
to name names
vsto name
1 7.7

Say who specific people are, often when someone accuses them or during a scandal

refers to stating someone publicly without focus on accusation

Idioms

349 3.7

With someone's permission or official authority to act for them

you name it
  • Informal
95 7.2

Anything you can think of is included

in God's name
  • Informal
52 7.9

Words people say to show strong surprise, anger or urgency in a question

19 6.5

Having a title but not the real power or responsibilities

18 6.0

The most important thing in a situation or activity

11 6.1

A title with no real power or duties

in heaven's name
  • Informal
10 7.3

People say it to show surprise, anger, or a strong need for an answer

To be for a certain person, often you

3 8.6

To call someone many rude names

To show clearly that something is typical of a person or made by them

name is mud
  • Archaic
2 9.9

People think badly of someone because they did something wrong

People are friendly and call each other by their first names

1 7.3

A very strong personal quality that shows what someone is like

her name is mud
  • Informal
1 9.9

Someone people blame or dislike after they do something others do not like

To become known for what you do by working hard

People say this jokingly about someone who often does dangerous things

To say you want to be chosen for a job or position

Phrasal Verbs

to name and shame
  • Literature
2 6.3

Publicly say which people or groups did something wrong so others will say bad things about them

Say who specific people are, often when someone accuses them or during a scandal

Ask someone if a name is okay before you decide

To ask a person in charge to consider your name for a role

Compounds

313 1.0

A name people in the same family share, usually after the first name

201 1.0

A name given at birth used before the family name

91 3.5

A famous and important person or group in one area

83 1.8

A name that comes between a person's first name and last name

name-calling
  • Offensive
53 4.9

Using rude words to insult someone

50 1.6

A name a company gives to a product or service to show it is different from others

45 1.0

The name a person shares with other family members, not the given name

44 3.1

A woman's last name before she marries

Information that shows who someone is and where they receive mail

43 1.6

A small badge that shows a person's name to identify them

domain name
  • Texting
36 3.3

A unique address made of letters and numbers separated by dots that people type to visit a website

name calling
  • Offensive
32 4.9

Using insulting words to hurt or shame someone instead of discussing the problem

21 3.6

A different name used publicly by an actor or musician

14 2.0

The name a person has before their family name

street name
  • Slang
14 8.2

A name a person uses instead of their real one, often in city groups

pet name
  • Informal
12 2.1

A special short name people use for someone they care about

11 3.9

A made-up name someone uses to hide who they are

10 3.5

A name an author uses instead of their real name when publishing

10 6.3

A name someone uses instead of their real name to hide who they are

10 1.0

The official word used to find a road and write addresses

proper name
  • Specialized
10 4.9

A name for a specific person, place, or thing that we write with a capital letter

8 1.4

The official name a business registers with the government

A person's first name given at birth or baptism

7 2.7

Name used to tell which computer file it is, often showing its type

5 2.3

A name for a town, area, or land feature

slave name
  • NSFW
4 9.9

A name someone uses when they play a submissive part in adult role-play

Mentioning famous people to try to impress others

brand-name drug
  • Specialized
3 4.2

A medicine sold under a company's name that only that company sells

3 2.9

A name a company gives to a product or service to sell it

3 7.8

A name a business uses that is not its legal registered name

2 7.5

A day when people celebrate someone who has a saint's name

The name shown on a book or article that tells who wrote it

name dropper
  • Offensive
2 8.1

A person who mentions famous people to seem important

2 8.8

A slang word for an illegal drug

The name of the person who wrote it

whole name
  • Specialized
1 9.0

The name of the whole thing that parts belong to, like 'tree' for branches

A name given to someone in a Christian church ceremony when they are a baby

A famous director who makes films, TV shows, or plays

A name used temporarily for a person or thing when the real name is unknown

file name extension
  • Specialized
1 3.5

A few letters or numbers after a file name that show the file type

1 4.0

A name for a part of something larger

name part
  • Jargon
1 8.3

The role of the character whose name is in the title

street name
  • Specialized
1 9.5

A way of holding shares where a broker is listed instead of the owner

assumed name
  • Formal
1 6.9

A name a business uses that is different from its legal name

How Formal

to present
∞ 2.8
to introduce
∞ 1.8
to name
∞ 1.0
to mention
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

name infinitive
named past
named past participle
naming present participle
names third person singular

Etymology

Name as a verb comes from the old idea of saying a person's 'name' or 'word for them'. To name someone is simply to say or list them by their name, which is why you can 'name' the countries or 'name' who did something.