# Marilyn

/ˈmɛɹəɫən/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. a hill or mountain

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Technical

a hill or mountain in the UK or Ireland that is at least 150 metres higher than the land around it.

For teachers: a hill or mountain in the British Isles with a prominence (relative height) of at least 150 metres, regardless of its absolute altitude.

- He spent his summer holiday trying to climb every Marilyn in the local area.
- The peak is classified as a Marilyn because its relative height exceeds 150 metres, even though its total elevation is quite modest compared to the Highlands.

Usage: The term is a pun on the name of the actress Marilyn Monroe, contrasting with 'Munro' (a higher Scottish mountain).

Teaching tip: This is a very niche term used by hikers and geographers in the UK. Most English speakers will only know 'Marilyn' as a person's name.

### 2. female name

noun · CEFR A1

a common female first name.

For teachers: a female given name, famously associated with the American actress Marilyn Monroe.

- Marilyn Monroe was one of the most famous movie stars in history.
- The name Marilyn reached its peak popularity in the mid-twentieth century, largely due to the influence of Hollywood icons.

Usage: Always capitalized as it is a proper noun.

## Examples

- My grandmother's name is Marilyn.
- The biographer spent years researching the private life of Marilyn Monroe to understand the woman behind the screen persona.
- While the name Marilyn has declined in contemporary usage, it remains an iconic linguistic marker of the golden age of Hollywood and the specific cultural aesthetic of that era.

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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.