# Harvey

/ˈhɑɹvi/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. a person's name

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

a common first name for a man or a last name for a family.

For teachers: a masculine given name or a surname, originally derived from Breton or Old French elements meaning 'battle-worthy'.

- Harvey is a traditional name that has become popular again recently.
- The professor, whose surname was Harvey, published several influential papers on the history of the industrial revolution.

Usage: Used as a proper noun; capitalized in all contexts.

Teaching tip: As a proper noun, this is not a vocabulary word to be defined in a general sense, but rather a name learners will encounter in literature and history.

## Examples

- The young Harvey spent years studying the human heart.
- The local medical society invited a distinguished Harvey to speak at their annual gala.
- While modern medicine has moved toward specialization, the traditional image of the Harvey as a holistic healer remains a powerful symbol in historical literature.

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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.