ENGLISH
REFERENCE

charles

n. countable
A1 Beginner US //ˈtʃɑɹəɫz// charles

n. a common traditional name for a man. It is a classic name used in many English-speaking countries.

n. a masculine given name of Germanic origin, meaning 'free man'.


SIMPLE

My friend Charles lives in London.

CONTEXTUAL

King Charles III attended the ceremony at the palace this morning.

COMPLEX

The name Charles has been borne by numerous European monarchs, including several kings of France, Spain, and the United Kingdom, cementing its status as a royal name.

Synonyms
Origin

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.

Usage

As a proper noun, it is almost always capitalized.

© 2026 English Reference