# clarence

/ˈkɫɛɹəns/ (US) · /klˈæɹəns/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. a person's name

noun · CEFR B2

a traditional male first name or a family name.

For teachers: a masculine given name or surname of English origin.

- Clarence was a very popular name for boys in the early twentieth century.
- The historian noted that the name Clarence saw a significant decline in popularity following the Victorian era.

### 2. a carriage

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

a closed carriage with four wheels and a glass front, pulled by horses.

For teachers: a four-wheeled, horse-drawn vehicle with a glass front and seating for four passengers, common in the 19th century.

- The wealthy family arrived at the theater in a shiny black clarence.
- The clarence was often preferred over the brougham for city travel because its glass front offered passengers a better view of the streets.

Usage: Usually functions as a common noun when referring to the vehicle type.

## Examples

- Clarence is a classic name that sounds quite formal today.
- The historical documents were signed by Clarence, who served as the lead clerk for the local parish.
- While the name Clarence has declined in popularity since the early twentieth century, it remains etched in literary history through various characters in classic English drama and fiction.

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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.