# Harris

/ˈhɛɹɪs/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. a surname

noun · CEFR A1

a common family name in English-speaking countries.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. a place in Scotland

noun · CEFR B2

a mountainous area in the Outer Hebrides islands of Scotland.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. cannabis

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Slang

a slang word for the drug cannabis.

For teachers: 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.

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.

## Examples

- He is a real harris when it comes to fixing old cars.
- If you need your taxes done perfectly, talk to Sarah; she is a total harris with numbers.
- The team recruited him because he is a harris at navigating complex international regulations, a skill that few others in the industry possess.

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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.