Definition of antonomasia
: the use of a proper name to designate a member of a class (such as a Solomon for a wise ruler)
also
: the use of an epithet or title in place of a proper name (such as the Bard for Shakespeare)
Test Your Vocabulary
Words Named After People
-
- Namesake of the leotard, Jules Léotard had what profession?

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share antonomasia
Time Traveler for antonomasia
The first known use of antonomasia was circa 1550
See more words from the same year