ENGLISH
REFERENCE

stanley

n. countable
A1 Beginner US //ˈstænɫi// stan·ley

n. a common English name for a man or a boy. It is also used as a family name.

n. a masculine given name or surname of English origin. Derived from Old English, meaning 'stony clearing'.


SIMPLE

My friend Stanley lives in London.

CONTEXTUAL

The history professor, Dr. Stanley, published a new book about the industrial revolution last month.

COMPLEX

While the name Stanley reached its peak popularity in the early twentieth century, it remains a recognizable classic in many English-speaking countries today.

Origin

From places in England, Old English stān (“stone”) + lēah (“meadow”). Equivalent to stone + -ley (“lea”). * The given name has also been used as an anglicisation of Stanisław, Stanislav and related names. The coastal town in Hong Kong is named after Edward Henry Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby.

Usage

As a proper noun, it is capitalized. When used as a surname, it follows the given name.

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