Word
charles
Phoneticscharles
/ˈtʃɑɹəɫz/
Definitions
01male given name
n. a very common first name for a man.
n. A masculine given name derived from the Germanic 'Karl', meaning 'free man'.
“My friend Charles prefers to be called Charlie in casual situations.”
“Charles Dickens remains one of the most influential novelists of the Victorian era, known for his vivid depictions of social inequality.”
Usage
Often shortened to 'Charlie' or 'Chuck' in informal contexts.
Teaching tip
Learners should note that while 'Charles' is the formal name, many native speakers use nicknames like 'Charlie' unless in a professional setting.
Synonyms
02a surname
n. a family name or last name.
n. A surname originating as a patronymic, identifying a person as a descendant of someone named Charles.
“The author Ray Charles was a famous American singer and pianist.”
“The research paper was co-authored by Dr. Elizabeth Charles, a leading expert in marine biology.”
Usage
Functions as a standard countable proper noun when referring to a family.
Etymology
From French Charles, from Old French Charles, Carles, from Latin Carolus, from and also reinfluenced by Frankish and Old High German Karl, from Proto-Germanic *karilaz (“free man”); compare the English word churl and the German Kerl. In reference to the Ecuadorian island, a clipping of the original name King Charles's Island, granted in honor of Charles II of England.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/charles