# Dennis

/ˈdɛnɪs/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. a person's name

noun · CEFR A1

a common first name for a man.

For teachers: A masculine given name, derived from the Greek name Dionysios.

- My friend Dennis is coming over to help me fix my computer.
- The author Dennis Lehane is well-known for writing gritty crime novels set in Boston.

### 2. a family name

noun · CEFR A2

a last name or family name.

For teachers: A surname of English and Irish origin, often functioning as a patronymic.

- Ms. Dennis is the new science teacher at the local high school.
- The historical records indicate that the Dennis family settled in this region during the mid-nineteenth century.

## Examples

- My friend Dennis is coming over for dinner tonight.
- The manager, Dennis, will be happy to assist you with your refund request.
- While the name Dennis was exceptionally popular in the mid-twentieth century, its usage has declined in recent decades as naming trends have shifted toward more contemporary choices.

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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.