# Lars

/ˈɫɑɹz/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. male name

noun · CEFR A1

a common male name in Northern Europe and sometimes in English-speaking countries.

For teachers: a male given name of Scandinavian and Latin origin, cognate with Laurence.

- Lars moved from Sweden to London to start his new job in finance.
- The architect Lars Sonck is renowned for his significant contributions to the National Romantic style in Finland during the late nineteenth century.

### 2. Roman household gods

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary · Technical

the spirits that ancient Romans believed protected their homes and families.

For teachers: Alternative plural form of 'Lares', denoting the tutelary deities of ancient Roman religion who protected the household and the state.

- The family offered small gifts to the lars to keep their home safe.
- In the atrium of the excavated villa, a small shrine dedicated to the lars remained remarkably intact, showing where daily offerings were once placed.

### 3. Etruscan title

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

a title for a leader or lord in the ancient Etruscan culture.

For teachers: An ancient Etruscan praenomen or title of rank, roughly equivalent to 'lord'.

- The historian explained that Lars Porsena was a powerful king in ancient times.
- Epigraphic evidence suggests that the title Lars was reserved for high-ranking members of the Etruscan aristocracy during the monarchic period.

## Examples

- The sailors moved the cargo to the lars side.
- In historical naval accounts, the term lars was occasionally used before 'port' became the standard command for the left side.
- The transition from lars to port in the mid-19th century was a deliberate safety measure intended to prevent helmsmen from mishearing orders during heavy storms.

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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.