Definition of EPONYM

eponym

Meanings

Plural: eponyms

Noun

  • the person for whom something is named
    • "Constantine I is the eponym for Constantinople"
  • the name derived from a person (real or imaginary)
    • "Down's syndrome is an eponym for the English physician John Down"
  • A person who gave or supposedly gave their name to a people, place, institution, etc.
  • Something that is named after a person.
  • A name taken from a person, a namesake toponym, term, etc.
  • A name or term derived from any proper noun, inclusive of places, brands, etc.
  • Synonym of epitome, a person taken as a symbol or quintessential representative of some trait, school, etc.
  • Synonym of epithet, a distinguishing title.

Origin / Etymology

From Latin eponymus, from Ancient Greek ἐπώνῠμος (epṓnŭmos), from ἐπί (epí, “upon, epi-”) + ὄνυμα (ónuma, “name”) + -ος (-os, suffix forming adjectives and nouns). Equivalent to epi- + -nym.

Synonyms

epithet, epitome, namesake

Scrabble Score: 13

eponym is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
eponym is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
eponym is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 15

eponym is a valid Words With Friends word