Byword
noun
A common saying or belief related to someone or something.
Her name is a byword for patience in the community.
Often appears as...
- become a byword
- used as a byword
noun
A person or thing that emblematic of a certain quality or concept.
In the software industry, his company is a byword for innovation.
Often appears as...
- is a byword
- become a byword
noun
A common saying or belief related to someone or something.
Her name is a byword for patience in the community.
Often appears as...
- become a byword
- used as a byword
noun
A person or thing that emblematic of a certain quality or concept.
In the software industry, his company is a byword for innovation.
Often appears as...
- is a byword
- become a byword
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
Often used metaphorically to imply a reputation someone or something has gained.
His tardiness at work has become a byword in the office.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Implication
Can imply negative characteristics or failures, not just positive qualities.
The company's product is now a byword for unreliability.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Reference
May refer to sayings, phrases, or reputations specific to a culture or society.
In our town, 'honest work' is the byword for a good life.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
Often used metaphorically to imply a reputation someone or something has gained.
His tardiness at work has become a byword in the office.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Implication
Can imply negative characteristics or failures, not just positive qualities.
The company's product is now a byword for unreliability.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Reference
May refer to sayings, phrases, or reputations specific to a culture or society.
In our town, 'honest work' is the byword for a good life.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
Often used metaphorically to imply a reputation someone or something has gained.
His tardiness at work has become a byword in the office.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Implication
Can imply negative characteristics or failures, not just positive qualities.
The company's product is now a byword for unreliability.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Reference
May refer to sayings, phrases, or reputations specific to a culture or society.
In our town, 'honest work' is the byword for a good life.
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Video examples
Praising slowness - Carl...
am i happy are my children growing up right are politicians making good decisions on my behalf another reason I think perhaps even the most powerful reason why we find it hard to slow down is the cultural taboo that we've erected against slowing down the slow is a dirty word in our culture it's a byword for lazy slacker for being
Video examples
Carl Honore: In praise...
It's a byword for "lazy," "slacker," for being somebody who gives up. You know, "he's a bit slow." It's actually synonymous with being stupid. I guess what the Slow Movement -- the purpose of the Slow Movement, or its main goal, really, is to tackle that taboo, and to say that yes,
Video examples
Praising slowness - Carl...
am i happy are my children growing up right are politicians making good decisions on my behalf another reason I think perhaps even the most powerful reason why we find it hard to slow down is the cultural taboo that we've erected against slowing down the slow is a dirty word in our culture it's a byword for lazy slacker for being
Video examples
Carl Honore: In praise...
It's a byword for "lazy," "slacker," for being somebody who gives up. You know, "he's a bit slow." It's actually synonymous with being stupid. I guess what the Slow Movement -- the purpose of the Slow Movement, or its main goal, really, is to tackle that taboo, and to say that yes,
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Michael Korda
English Novelist
Even almost a century after her death, Sarah Bernhardt, the French actress whose extraordinary personality, flamboyant life and passionate nature became a legend in her own lifetime, remains the byword among most people as the supreme theatrical star.
Quote examples
Antonio Guterres
Portuguese Politician
As a global community, we face a choice. Do we want migration to be a source of prosperity and international solidarity, or a byword for inhumanity and social friction?
Quote examples
Ann Widdecombe
British Politician
My detractors, who delight in using my name as a byword for unattractiveness, will find it hard to believe, but looking in the mirror is a pleasant experience.
Quote examples
Govinda
Indian Actor
In Indian politics, deception seems a byword. I'll have none of that.
Quote examples
Michael Korda
English Novelist
Even almost a century after her death, Sarah Bernhardt, the French actress whose extraordinary personality, flamboyant life and passionate nature became a legend in her own lifetime, remains the byword among most people as the supreme theatrical star.
Quote examples
Antonio Guterres
Portuguese Politician
As a global community, we face a choice. Do we want migration to be a source of prosperity and international solidarity, or a byword for inhumanity and social friction?
Quote examples
Ann Widdecombe
British Politician
My detractors, who delight in using my name as a byword for unattractiveness, will find it hard to believe, but looking in the mirror is a pleasant experience.
Quote examples
Govinda
Indian Actor
In Indian politics, deception seems a byword. I'll have none of that.
Example 1 of 4
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