# Laurence

/ˈɫɔɹəns/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. male name

noun · CEFR A1

a common first name for a man.

For teachers: a masculine given name of Latin origin, derived from Laurentius.

- Laurence was named after his grandfather, who was a famous doctor.
- The biography provides a detailed account of Laurence Olivier's early years in the theatre and his rise to international stardom.

### 2. personification of laziness

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Dialect

an old name for a lazy person.

For teachers: a personification of indolence or laziness, often used in the phrase 'Lazy Laurence'.

- He was such a lazy Laurence that he wouldn't even get out of bed for breakfast.
- The local folklore warned children that Lazy Laurence would cast a spell of sleepiness over anyone who shirked their chores in the heat of the day.

### 3. a fox

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · British English

an old, traditional name for a fox.

For teachers: a traditional name for a fox, similar to the use of 'Reynard'.

- In the old story, Laurence the fox tried to trick the farmer.
- The poet employed the name Laurence to evoke the cunning nature of the fox as it prowled the edges of the estate.

## Examples

- He has a touch of Laurence today and won't get out of bed.
- The old farmer joked that his nephew was being held back by Laurence, as the boy hadn't moved from the porch all morning.
- In certain regional dialects, the phrase 'to have Laurence on one's back' serves as a colourful metaphor for a sudden and overwhelming bout of lethargy.

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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.