Word
harris
Phoneticshar·ris
/ˈhɛɹɪs/
Definitions
01a surname
n. a common family name in English-speaking countries.
n. a common English and Welsh surname of patronymic origin, meaning 'son of Harry'.
“Kamala Harris became the first female Vice President of the United States.”
“The research paper was co-authored by Professor Harris, a leading expert in the field of structural linguistics.”
02a place in Scotland
n. a mountainous area in the Outer Hebrides islands of Scotland.
n. the southern, more mountainous region of the island of Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland.
“Harris is famous for its beautiful beaches and traditional tweed fabric.”
“The rugged terrain of Harris attracts hikers seeking isolation and dramatic coastal views in the Western Isles.”
03cannabis
n. a slang word for the drug cannabis.
n. a slang term for cannabis, specifically the dried flowering tops or resin.
“The police found a small amount of harris in the suspect's pocket.”
“The use of 'harris' as a synonym for marijuana is largely confined to specific regional British dialects and is rarely encountered in standard prose.”
British English · Slang
Usage
Usually uncountable in this sense.
Teaching tip
This is a very niche slang term; learners are unlikely to encounter it outside of specific British urban contexts.
Etymology
From Harry + -s (“patronymic suffix”). From Harry, a male given name derived from a Middle English pronunciation of Old French Henri.
Uncertain. Perhaps from Old Norse hérað (“hundred (administrative district)”), or from Old Norse hærri (“higher”), referring to the high hills on the island, especially compared to Lewis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/harris