Definition of DEMONYM

demonym

Plural: demonyms

Noun

  • A name for an inhabitant or native of a specific place, usually derived from the name of the place.
  • A pseudonym formed of an adjective.

Examples

  • The Logophile has my favourite demonym; I would write under it if he didn't.
  • Why is it that people from the United States use American as their demonym?

Origin / Etymology

From demo- + -onym, from Ancient Greek δῆμος (dêmos, “people”) + ὄνυμα (ónuma, “name”). Possibly revived in 1997 by Paul Dickson of Merriam-Webster.

Synonyms

gentilic

Scrabble Score: 15

demonym: not valid in Scrabble (US) TWL Dictionary
demonym: not valid in Scrabble (MW) Merriam-Webster Dictionary
demonym: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 0

demonym: not valid in Words With Friends