ENGLISH
REFERENCE

anderson

n. countable
A1 Beginner US //ˈændɝsən// an·der·son

n. a common family name in English-speaking countries. It originally meant 'son of Andrew'.

n. a common surname of Scottish and northern English origin. It is a patronymic name derived from the personal name Andrew.


SIMPLE

Mr. Anderson is our new science teacher.

CONTEXTUAL

The local library was named after Elizabeth Anderson, a famous doctor from the nineteenth century.

COMPLEX

The Anderson family has lived in this coastal village for generations, maintaining a small but successful fishing business that remains a cornerstone of the local economy.

Etymology 1

From Middle English Ander (“Andrew”) + -son, after Saint Andrew, patron saint of Scotland. In the United States, sometimes an anglicization of Danish and Norwegian Andersen or Swedish Andersson.

Etymology 2

From earlier Anderston, from Middle English Andreuston, equivalent to Andrew + -s- + -ton.

Usage

As a proper noun, it is always capitalized.

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