plural bywords
: someone or something that is closely connected with a particular quality
—usually singular —usually + for
The new luxury hotel is fast becoming a byword for hospitality.
Her name has become a byword for wit.
Cite this Entry
“Byword.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/byword. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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