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Namesake - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A namesake is a person or thing named after another person or thing, often to honor or remember them. For example, a grandson might be the namesake of his grandfather.

namesake

/ˈneɪmˌseɪk/ /ˈneɪmˌseɪk/

Definition:

A person or thing named after another person or thing.

Synonyms:

counterpart, eponym, homonym

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

opposite, unrelated

Common Collocations:

famous namesake, shared namesake, direct namesake

Derivatives:

namesakes, namesaking

Usage Tips:

Use "namesake" to refer to someone or something named after another; ensure clarity by specifying the original entity.

Common Phrases:

"in name only, " "living up to one's namesake"

Etymology:

Derived from "name" + "sake," meaning "for the sake of the name," first recorded in the mid-17th century.

Examples:

  • 1. My brother is my namesake; we share the same first name.
  • 2. The city is the namesake of a famous explorer from centuries ago.
  • 3. She met her namesake at a conference and they became friends.
  • 4. The restaurant is the namesake of its founder, a renowned chef.

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