Lafayette

/ˌlæfiːˈɛt/ name, noun

name, noun ·Moderate ·College level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: The dollarfish.
  • Grammar: lafayette is listed as name, noun.
  • Nearest alternatives: administrative division, city in indiana, district, french nobleman.
  • Useful contrasts: nonparish area, nonparish region, private citizen.
  • Usage evidence: The Marquis de Lafayette first came to the United States from France at the age of 19 to help the Americans in their fight for independence.

How to use "lafayette"

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

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "lafayette" 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 "lafayette" is acting as name, noun 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 "administrative division" 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 "lafayette", 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

Noun
  1. 1
    The dollarfish.
  2. 2
    A fish, the goody or spot (Leiostomus xanthurus), of the southern coast of the United States.
Proper Noun
  1. 1
    Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette (1757–1834), a French aristocrat who is considered a national hero in both France and the United States for his participation in the French and American revolutions. countable, uncountable
  2. 2
    A surname from French. Alternative form of Lafayette. countable
  3. 3
    A number of places in the United States named for the Marquis de La Fayette:; A city in Contra Costa County, California. countable, uncountable
  4. 4
    A placename; A city, the county seat of Chambers County, Alabama, United States. countable, uncountable
  5. 5
    A number of places in the United States named for the Marquis de La Fayette:; A city and home rule municipality of Boulder County, Colorado. countable, uncountable
Show 17 more definitions
  1. 6
    A placename; A city, the county seat of Walker County, Georgia, United States. countable, uncountable
  2. 7
    A number of places in the United States named for the Marquis de La Fayette:; A city, the county seat of Tippecanoe County, Indiana. countable, uncountable
  3. 8
    A placename; A home rule city in Christian County, Kentucky, United States. countable, uncountable
  4. 9
    A number of places in the United States named for the Marquis de La Fayette:; A large city, the parish seat of Lafayette Parish, Louisiana. countable, uncountable
  5. 10
    A placename; A town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. countable, uncountable
  6. 11
    A number of places in the United States named for the Marquis de La Fayette:; A small city in Nicollet County, Minnesota. countable, uncountable
  7. 12
    A number of places in the United States named for the Marquis de La Fayette:; A village in Allen County, Ohio. countable, uncountable
  8. 13
    A number of places in the United States named for the Marquis de La Fayette:; A census-designated place in Madison County, Ohio. countable, uncountable
  9. 14
    A number of places in the United States named for the Marquis de La Fayette:; A city in Yamhill County, Oregon. countable, uncountable
  10. 15
    A number of places in the United States named for the Marquis de La Fayette:; A city, the county seat of Macon County, Tennessee. countable, uncountable
  11. 16
    A number of places in the United States named for the Marquis de La Fayette:; A census-designated place in Montgomery County, Virginia. countable, uncountable
  12. 17
    A number of places in the United States named for the Marquis de La Fayette:; A town in Chippewa County, Wisconsin. countable, uncountable
  13. 18
    A number of places in the United States named for the Marquis de La Fayette:; A town in Monroe County, Wisconsin. countable, uncountable
  14. 19
    A number of places in the United States named for the Marquis de La Fayette:; A town in Walworth County, Wisconsin. countable, uncountable
  15. 20
    A number of places in the United States named for the Marquis de La Fayette:; A number of townships in the United States, listed under Lafayette Township. countable, uncountable
  16. 21
    A surname from French. countable
  17. 22
    A male given name transferred from the surname, originally in honor of the Marquis. US, countable

Synonyms

All synonyms
administrative divisioncity in indianadistrictfrench noblemanliberal arts collegemilitary officer

Antonyms

nonparish areanonparish regionprivate citizenpublic university

Example

"The Marquis de Lafayette first came to the United States from France at the age of 19 to help the Americans in their fight for independence."

Common questions

What does "lafayette" mean?

The dollarfish.

What is a synonym for "lafayette"?

Common synonyms include: administrative division, city in indiana, district, french nobleman, liberal arts college, military officer.

How do you use "lafayette" in a sentence?

The Marquis de Lafayette first came to the United States from France at the age of 19 to help the Americans in their fight for independence.

How do you pronounce "lafayette"?

Pronounced /ˌlæfiːˈɛt/.

Etymology

French surname from Occitan, "the little beech tree".

More for "lafayette"

Synonyms

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