Douglas

/ˈdʌɡləs/ name

name ·Moderate ·College level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: A habitational surname from Scottish Gaelic of Scottish origin.
  • Grammar: douglas is listed as name.
  • Nearest alternatives: bosie, douglas fir, family name, last name.
  • Useful contrasts: given name.
  • Usage evidence: He took it up with Mr. Jones, who was forever taken up short by his boss, Mr. Douglas.

How to use "douglas"

  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 "douglas" 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 "douglas" 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 "douglas" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "douglas" 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 "douglas" 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 "bosie" 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 "douglas", 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 habitational surname from Scottish Gaelic of Scottish origin. countable

    "The gunman, Nikolas Cruz, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. A school resource officer faces charges after allegedly failing to confront the gunman at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School."

  2. 2
    A male given name transferred from the surname. countable
  3. 3
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; Douglas, the capital city of the Isle of Man (OS grid ref SC3875). countable, uncountable
  4. 4
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; A locality in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. countable, uncountable
  5. 5
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; A river in Lancashire and Greater Manchester, England. countable, uncountable
Show 37 more definitions
  1. 6
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; An area in eastern Dundee, Scotland; in full, Douglas and Angus. countable, uncountable
  2. 7
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; A village in South Lanarkshire council area, Scotland, the origin of Clan Douglas and the Lords of Douglas (OS grid ref NS8330). countable, uncountable
  3. 8
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A village and suburb of Cork, County Cork, Ireland. countable, uncountable
  4. 9
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A village in Belize. countable, uncountable
  5. 10
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A settlement in East Falkland, Falkland Islands. countable, uncountable
  6. 11
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A town in the Northern Cape, South Africa. countable, uncountable
  7. 12
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in Australasia:; A suburb of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. countable, uncountable
  8. 13
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in Australasia:; A locality in the Toowoomba Region, Queensland. countable, uncountable
  9. 14
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in Australasia:; A local government area north of Cairns, Queensland; in full, the Shire of Douglas. countable, uncountable
  10. 15
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in Australasia:; A locality in the Rural City of Horsham and the Shire of West Wimmera, western Victoria, Australia. countable, uncountable
  11. 16
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in Australasia:; A rural locality in Taranaki, New Zealand. countable, uncountable
  12. 17
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in Australasia:; A small community in South Canterbury, New Zealand. countable, uncountable
  13. 18
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in Canada:; A locality in Surrey, British Columbia. countable, uncountable
  14. 19
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in Canada:; A settlement in the Rural Municipality of Elton, Manitoba. countable, uncountable
  15. 20
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in Canada:; A suburban community in York County, New Brunswick. countable, uncountable
  16. 21
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in Canada:; A community in Admaston/Bromley, Renfrew County, Ontario. countable, uncountable
  17. 22
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United States:; A town in Marshall County, Alabama. countable, uncountable
  18. 23
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United States:; A community on Douglas Island, Alaska, directly across from Juneau. countable, uncountable
  19. 24
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United States:; A city in Cochise County, Arizona. countable, uncountable
  20. 25
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United States:; A city, the county seat of Coffee County, Georgia. countable, uncountable
  21. 26
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United States:; A neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. countable, uncountable
  22. 27
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Knox County, Illinois. countable, uncountable
  23. 28
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in St. Clair County, Illinois. countable, uncountable
  24. 29
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Gibson County, Indiana. countable, uncountable
  25. 30
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United States:; A town in Worcester County, Massachusetts. countable, uncountable
  26. 31
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United States:; A city in Allegan County, Michigan. countable, uncountable
  27. 32
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Olmsted County, Minnesota. countable, uncountable
  28. 33
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United States:; The former alternative name of Oak Ridge, Pemiscot County, Missouri. countable, uncountable
  29. 34
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United States:; A village in Otoe County, Nebraska. countable, uncountable
  30. 35
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United States:; A tiny city in Ward County, North Dakota. countable, uncountable
  31. 36
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Putnam County, Ohio. countable, uncountable
  32. 37
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United States:; A tiny town in Garfield County, Oklahoma. countable, uncountable
  33. 38
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Douglas County, Washington. countable, uncountable
  34. 39
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Calhoun County, West Virginia. countable, uncountable
  35. 40
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United States:; A small town in Marquette County, Wisconsin. countable, uncountable
  36. 41
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United States:; A small city, the county seat of Converse County, Wyoming. countable, uncountable
  37. 42
    A place name or the name of a geographical feature, often given after a person, notably held by:; A number of places in the United States:; A number of townships in the United States, mostly in Iowa, listed under Douglas Township. countable, uncountable

Synonyms

All synonyms
bosiedouglas firfamily namelast namepseudotsuga menziesii

Antonyms

given name

Example

"He took it up with Mr. Jones, who was forever taken up short by his boss, Mr. Douglas."

Common questions

What does "douglas" mean?

A habitational surname from Scottish Gaelic of Scottish origin.

What is a synonym for "douglas"?

Common synonyms include: bosie, douglas fir, family name, last name, pseudotsuga menziesii.

How do you use "douglas" in a sentence?

He took it up with Mr. Jones, who was forever taken up short by his boss, Mr. Douglas.

How do you pronounce "douglas"?

Pronounced /ˈdʌɡləs/.

Etymology

From a place name, Scottish Gaelic dubh (“black”) + glais (“stream”).

More for "douglas"