# Elaine

/ˌiˈɫeɪn/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. female name

noun · CEFR A1

a common first name for a woman.

For teachers: a female given name, derived from the Greek name Helen, meaning 'torch' or 'shining light'.

- My aunt Elaine is coming to visit us for dinner this weekend.
- The character Elaine Benes became a cultural icon in the 1990s due to the immense popularity of the television sitcom Seinfeld.

## Examples

- Elaine works as a nurse at the local hospital.
- My colleague Elaine organized the office party last Friday.
- The character Elaine Benes became an iconic figure in American television comedy during the 1990s.

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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.