# Clarke

/ˈkɫɑɹk/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. a surname

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

a common family name in English-speaking countries.

For teachers: a frequent English surname, historically a variant of Clark, denoting a member of the clergy or a literate person.

- Arthur C. Clarke was a famous writer who predicted many modern technologies.
- The research paper was co-authored by Professor Clarke, who has published extensively on the history of the industrial revolution.

Usage: Always capitalized as a proper noun.

### 2. a place name

noun · CEFR C2 · American English · Formal

the name of several counties in the United States.

For teachers: a toponymic reference to one of several administrative counties in the United States, most notably in Georgia, Alabama, and Virginia.

- The university is located in Clarke County, which is known for its music scene.
- The local government of Clarke County recently passed a new ordinance regarding urban development and green spaces.

Usage: Typically used in the phrase 'Clarke County'.

## Examples

- The scientist calculated the charge in Clarke units.
- In some nineteenth-century scientific texts, researchers used the Clarke as a standard measure before the international adoption of the coulomb.
- Historical analysis of electrochemical experiments reveals that the Clarke was once a competing unit of charge, though it eventually fell out of favor as electrical standards became globally synchronized.

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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.