Anglo-Saxon

noun

An·​glo-Sax·​on ˌaŋ-glō-ˈsak-sən 

1

: a member of the Germanic peoples conquering England in the fifth century a.d. and forming the ruling class until the Norman conquest compare angle, jute, saxon

2

a

: englishman

specifically : a person descended from the Anglo-Saxons

b

: a white gentile of an English-speaking nation

3

: old english sense 1

4

: direct plain English

especially : English using words considered crude or vulgar

Anglo-Saxon adjective

Examples of Anglo-Saxon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This particular auction also includes a Queen Elizabeth II 1989 gold proof Britannia four-coin set, silver coins stretching back to the Medieval and Tudor periods, as well as bronze Celtic, Viking, Anglo-Saxon, and Roman coins. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 Jan. 2026

Casting black actors as Anglo-Saxon nobles is only the most in-your-face example of this problem. — Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025

The region has a distinct identity shaped by centuries of history, from the Iron Age and Roman rule to Anglo-Saxon and Viking influences. — Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025

Yet, the threat that alcohol posed to the Anglo-Saxon family came from another source as well. — Elizabeth Marshall / Made By History, TIME, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Anglo-Saxones, plural, alteration of Medieval Latin Angli Saxones, from Latin Angli Angles + Late Latin Saxones Saxons

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for Anglo-Saxon

• ceftriaxone
• flaxen
• saxon
• taxon
• waxen
• relaxin

Kids Definition

Anglo-Saxon

noun

An·​glo-Sax·​on

ˌaŋ-glō-ˈsak-sən

1

: a member of the Germanic people who conquered England in the 5th century a.d.

2

: a person whose ancestors were English

3

: old english

Anglo-Saxon adjective