# Charles

/ˈtʃɑɹəɫz/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/charles
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. male given name

noun · CEFR A1

a very common first name for a man.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. a surname

noun · CEFR B2

a family name or last name.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- My friend Charles lives in London.
- King Charles III attended the ceremony at the palace this morning.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.