amazon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal / Literary for the warrior meaning; Neutral/Common for the river and company.
Quick answer
What does “amazon” mean?
A member of a legendary race of female warriors, often described as tall, strong, and aggressive.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of a legendary race of female warriors, often described as tall, strong, and aggressive.
A tall, strong, or athletic woman. A river in South America, the largest in the world by discharge volume. The name of a major global technology and e-commerce company.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant linguistic difference. The company's name is globally uniform, though local subsidiaries may exist (e.g., Amazon.co.uk vs. Amazon.com).
Connotations
The mythological/literal 'amazon' has the same literary connotations. The corporate name carries identical global commercial connotations.
Frequency
Overwhelmingly more frequent as a proper noun (the company) in both varieties. The use to mean a strong woman is rare in everyday speech in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “amazon” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] Amazon + [Verb][Article] + amazon + [Prepositional Phrase] (e.g., an amazon of a woman)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “amazon” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I need to Amazon that book later.
- (Informal, from brand name)
American English
- She Amazoned a new charger for overnight delivery.
- (Informal, from brand name)
adjective
British English
- He works in the Amazon logistics division.
- (Attributive use of proper noun)
American English
- We're trying an Amazon delivery locker for the first time.
- (Attributive use of proper noun)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers almost exclusively to the multinational technology company. 'Amazon's Q3 earnings exceeded expectations.'
Academic
Primarily refers to the river, its basin, or the rainforest in geography/ecology, or to the mythological tribe in classics/history. 'Deforestation in the Amazon has accelerated.'
Everyday
Overwhelmingly refers to the company for shopping/services. 'I'll just get it on Amazon.' The mythological sense is very rare.
Technical
In ecology/geography: the river or biome. In tech/e-commerce: the platform, AWS (Amazon Web Services).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “amazon”
- Using a lowercase 'a' when referring specifically to the company (proper noun).
- Confusing 'Amazon' (company) with 'the amazon' (mythological figure) in writing without clear context.
- Pronouncing it /ˈeɪməzɒn/ (like 'amazing') instead of /ˈæməzən/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When referring to the company, the river, or the mythological race, it is a proper noun and must be capitalized. The lowercase 'amazon' is used only in the rare, literary sense meaning a tall, strong woman.
In contemporary global English, the most frequent referent is the multinational technology and e-commerce company, followed by the South American river.
Informally, yes. It's a verbified brand name meaning 'to buy from or order via Amazon.com' (e.g., 'I'll amazon it'). This is colloquial and not formal English.
It can be ambiguous. Historically and literarily, it denotes strength and independence. However, as it focuses on physical stature and can be seen as archaic, it might be perceived as odd, reductive, or even mildly offensive depending on context and intent. Caution is advised.
A member of a legendary race of female warriors, often described as tall, strong, and aggressive.
Amazon is usually formal / literary for the warrior meaning; neutral/common for the river and company. in register.
Amazon: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæməz(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæməˌzɑːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “an Amazon of a woman (literary: a very tall, strong woman)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a strong woman running the length of the AMAZON river to deliver an AMAZON package — linking all three main meanings.
Conceptual Metaphor
POWER IS SIZE/STRENGTH (mythological amazon); CONVENIENCE IS A CLICK (corporate Amazon); NATURE IS A LIFEBLOOD (the river).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'Amazon' used as a common noun?