What Does Eponymous Mean? | Definition & Examples
Eponymous is an adjective that describes a thing or person (e.g., a creator, inventor, discoverer, or founder) after which something is named. It can also describe the actual thing that has been named after that something or someone.
In the literary world, works that are named after their main character or protagonist can be described as eponymous (e.g., Huckleberry Finn).
In light of Bob Dylan’s renown as a songwriter, it is interesting that his eponymous first album included only one original composition.
The Elizabethan era in English history coincides with the reign of the eponymous Queen Elizabeth I.
The Doppler effect is named after the eponymous physicist who first explained it, Charles Doppler.
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What is an eponym?
An eponym is a noun that describes a proper noun, especially a person’s name, that becomes the name for something else (e.g., Charles Richter, the seismologist for whom the Richter scale is named).
It can also refer to the word itself (e.g., the word “sandwich” named after the 4th Earl of Sandwich). Eponym is related to the adjective eponymous.
The eponym “rollerblade” comes from one particular brand of inline skates that was key in popularizing the pastime.
Frequently asked questions about eponymous
- How do I pronounce eponymous?
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Eponymous is a four syllable word, and the emphasis falls on the second syllable: [ih-pon-uh-muss].
