ENGLISH
REFERENCE

mercedes

n. countable
A2 Elementary US //mɝˈseɪdiz// mer·cedes

n. a famous German brand of expensive cars known for being high quality and comfortable. People often use the name to talk about luxury and success.

n. a prominent German luxury automotive brand manufactured by Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Often used metonymically to refer to a vehicle produced by this company.


SIMPLE

He drives a silver Mercedes to work every day.

CONTEXTUAL

The hotel provides a chauffeur-driven Mercedes for guests who need a ride to the airport.

COMPLEX

While the vintage Mercedes in the showroom was impeccably restored, its mechanical complexity made it a daunting project for any amateur collector.

Origin

From Spanish Mercedes (Mary, Our Lady of Mercy). The car was named for Mercédès Jellinek, the daughter of Austrian businessman Emil Jellinek who ordered 36 cars from Gottlieb Daimler.

Usage

When referring to the car itself, it is a countable noun; when referring to the brand or company, it functions as a proper noun.

© 2026 English Reference