Dawson

/ˈdɔːsən/ name

name ·Moderate ·College level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: A patrilineal surname.
  • Grammar: dawson is listed as name.
  • Nearest alternatives: family name, first name, forename, given name.
  • Useful contrasts: forename, given name, nonplace name.
  • Usage evidence: "What's this, Dawson!" he cried. "No gossiping! Go about your business!"

How to use "dawson"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "dawson" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "dawson" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "dawson" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "dawson" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "dawson" is acting as name in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "family name" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "dawson", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A patrilineal surname. countable
  2. 2
    A placename; A locale in Australia; A rural locality in South Australia. countable, uncountable
  3. 3
    A placename; A locale in Australia; A locality in the Shire of Wellington, south eastern Victoria. countable, uncountable
  4. 4
    A placename; A locale in Canada; A township in the Rainy River District, Ontario. countable, uncountable
  5. 5
    A placename; A locale in Canada; A creek in the Peace River region, British Columbia. countable, uncountable
Show 19 more definitions
  1. 6
    A placename; A locale in the United States.; A small unincorporated community in DeKalb County, Alabama, United States. countable, uncountable
  2. 7
    A placename; A locale in the United States.; A city, the county seat of Terrell County, Georgia, United States. countable, uncountable
  3. 8
    A placename; A locale in the United States.; A village in Sangamon County, Illinois, United States. countable, uncountable
  4. 9
    A placename; A locale in the United States.; A city in Dallas County, Iowa, United States. countable, uncountable
  5. 10
    A placename; A locale in the United States.; An unincorporated community and census-designated place in Allegany County, Maryland, United States. countable, uncountable
  6. 11
    A placename; A locale in the United States.; An unincorporated community in Wright County, Missouri, United States. countable, uncountable
  7. 12
    A placename; A locale in the United States.; A small city in Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota, United States. countable, uncountable
  8. 13
    A placename; A locale in the United States.; A village in Richardson County, Nebraska, United States. countable, uncountable
  9. 14
    A placename; A locale in the United States.; A ghost town in Colfax County, New Mexico, United States. countable, uncountable
  10. 15
    A placename; A locale in the United States.; A tiny city in Kidder County, North Dakota, United States. countable, uncountable
  11. 16
    A placename; A locale in the United States.; An unincorporated community in Shelby County, Ohio, United States. countable, uncountable
  12. 17
    A placename; A locale in the United States.; An unincorporated community in Benton County, Oregon, United States. countable, uncountable
  13. 18
    A placename; A locale in the United States.; A borough of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. countable, uncountable
  14. 19
    A placename; A locale in the United States.; A town in Navarro County, Texas, United States. countable, uncountable
  15. 20
    A placename; A locale in the United States.; A neighborhood of Austin, Texas, United States. countable, uncountable
  16. 21
    A placename; A locale in the United States.; An unincorporated community in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, United States. countable, uncountable
  17. 22
    A placename; Ellipsis of Dawson City. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable
  18. 23
    A placename; Ellipsis of Dawson County. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable
  19. 24
    A placename; Ellipsis of Dawson Creek. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable

Synonyms

All synonyms
family namefirst nameforenamegiven namelast nameplace name

Antonyms

forenamegiven namenonplace namesurname

Example

""What's this, Dawson!" he cried. "No gossiping! Go about your business!""

Common questions

What does "dawson" mean?

A patrilineal surname.

What is a synonym for "dawson"?

Common synonyms include: family name, first name, forename, given name, last name, place name.

How do you use "dawson" in a sentence?

"What's this, Dawson!" he cried. "No gossiping! Go about your business!"

How do you pronounce "dawson"?

Pronounced /ˈdɔːsən/.

Etymology

From Daw, a Middle English pet form of David + -son.

More for "dawson"

Synonyms

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