# Williams

/ˈwɪɫjəmz/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. a surname

noun · CEFR A1

a very common last name in English-speaking countries, especially in Wales.

For teachers: a common patronymic surname of Welsh origin, meaning 'son of William'.

- Serena Williams is one of the most famous tennis players in history.
- The registrar noted that Williams remains one of the most frequently occurring surnames in the regional census data.

### 2. plural of William

noun · CEFR A2

more than one person named William.

For teachers: the plural form of the masculine proper noun William, used to refer to multiple individuals sharing the name.

- There are three Williams in my office, so we use their last names to tell them apart.
- The teacher found it difficult to manage a classroom containing four Williams, eventually resorting to using their middle initials for clarity.

## Examples

- The new teacher's name is Mr. Williams.
- Serena Williams is widely considered one of the greatest tennis players in the history of the sport.
- The Williams family has lived in this valley for generations, establishing a local legacy that spans from the early farming days to the modern industrial 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.