Word
andrew
Phoneticsan·drew, stress on the first syllable
/ˈændɹu/
Definitions
01male name
A1 · Beginner Countable noun
n. a common name for a man or boy.
n. a common male given name, derived from the Greek word for 'manly'.
“My brother Andrew is starting university in London this September.”
“The name Andrew has remained a staple of English nomenclature for centuries, partly due to its association with the patron saint of Scotland.”
02the Royal Navy
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun British English · Slang
n. a slang name used by sailors for the British Royal Navy.
n. a traditional slang term for the British Royal Navy, often used with the definite article.
“He spent twenty years in the Andrew before retiring to the coast.”
“Life in the Andrew was rigorous, but it provided him with a sense of discipline that served him well in his later civilian career.”
Usage
Usually used with the definite article: 'the Andrew'.
Teaching tip
This is a very specific piece of naval slang; most English speakers will only know Andrew as a first name.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Ancient Greek Ἀνδρέας (Andréas), cognate with ἀνδρεῖος (andreîos, “manly”), both from ἀνήρ (anḗr, “man”). Doublet of André, Andreas, Andrei, and Andrey.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. merry Andrew
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A1 · Beginner
- Updated
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