# Shirley

/ˈʃɝɫi/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 2. a person's name

noun · CEFR A1

a common English name for a woman or a family name.

For teachers: a female given name or a habitational surname of English origin.

- Shirley Temple was a very famous child actress in the 1930s.
- The protagonist, Shirley, finds herself navigating the complexities of mid-century social expectations in the novel.

Usage: Always capitalized as a proper noun.

## Examples

- Shirley you didn't eat the last cookie.
- When asked to work late, she replied with a cheerful 'Shirley I have plans,' avoiding a direct refusal.

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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.