# Mary

/ˈmɛɹi/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. given name

noun · CEFR A1

a common English name for a woman.

For teachers: a female given name of Aramaic and Hebrew origin, historically one of the most common names in the English-speaking world.

- My grandmother's name was Mary, and she lived in a small village.
- The registrar noted that Mary remained a consistently popular choice for newborn girls throughout the early twentieth century.

### 2. religious figure

noun · CEFR A2

the mother of Jesus, often called the Virgin Mary.

For teachers: the mother of Jesus Christ, venerated in Christianity and Islam as a central religious figure.

- Many churches are named after Mary to honour her role in the Bible.
- The cathedral features a series of stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary.

### 4. slang for a man

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

a slang name sometimes used to address or talk about a gay man.

For teachers: a term of address or reference for a male homosexual, often used within the LGBTQ+ community.

- Listen, Mary, you need to stop worrying about what they think.
- The use of 'Mary' as a campy term of address was a prominent feature of mid-century underground queer subcultures.

Teaching tip: This term can be used affectionately within the gay community but may be seen as offensive if used by outsiders.

## Examples

- My grandmother's name is Mary.
- The local church features a beautiful stained-glass window depicting Mary and the infant Jesus.
- Scholars of religious history often examine the various ways Mary has been portrayed in art and literature across different cultures and centuries.

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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.