# Hilary

/ˈhɪɫɝi/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. academic or legal term

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Formal

the period of time in the winter when universities are open or courts are in session.

For teachers: The second term of the academic or legal year in the United Kingdom and Ireland, typically running from January to March.

- The students returned to Oxford in January for the start of the Hilary term.
- The High Court scheduled the complex litigation to be heard during the Hilary term, ensuring a verdict before the spring recess.

Usage: Usually capitalized and often followed by the word 'term'.

Teaching tip: This is a highly specific cultural term; most learners will only encounter it in the context of British universities like Oxford or Dublin, or the UK legal system.

### 2. a person's name

noun · CEFR A1

a first name for a man or a woman, or a family name.

For teachers: A given name of Latin origin, historically male but now more commonly female in many English-speaking regions; also functions as a surname.

- Hilary and her friends went to the park to enjoy the sunshine.
- The biography of Hilary Mantel provides deep insights into the literary landscape of contemporary Britain.

Usage: Always capitalized as a proper noun.

Teaching tip: While historically used for both genders, in modern American English it is almost exclusively a female name.

## Examples

- Hilary is my best friend.
- Hilary works as a teacher at the local primary school.
- The name Hilary gained widespread popularity in the mid-twentieth century, often associated with figures in politics and 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.