amis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, literary, archaic
Quick answer
What does “amis” mean?
A plural noun (rare) meaning friends, companions, or associates.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A plural noun (rare) meaning friends, companions, or associates; a term of French origin used historically or archaically in English.
Used in English primarily in historical, literary, or formal contexts to denote friends or allies. It can appear in legal or historical texts referencing relationships.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Neither variant uses this word in common speech. In British English, it might appear slightly more often in historical novels or legal documents due to the Norman French influence on English law. In American English, its use is even rarer and typically limited to direct quotations or highly stylized writing.
Connotations
In either variety, it connotes antiquity, formality, and a certain literary or historical pretension.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, near-zero in corpus data for modern English.
Grammar
How to Use “amis” in a Sentence
[Possessive Pronoun] + amis[Adjective] + amisamis + of + [Noun Phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Possibly found in historical, literary, or legal history texts discussing Norman or medieval contexts.
Everyday
Not used. Using it in conversation would be highly marked and likely misunderstood.
Technical
Not used in modern technical fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “amis”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “amis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “amis”
- Using it as a singular noun ('an amis').
- Using it in modern, informal contexts.
- Pronouncing it like 'amiss' (/əˈmɪs/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is extremely rare and considered archaic or literary. The common modern word is 'friends'.
No. 'Amis' is a plural noun borrowed from French. The singular would be 'ami', but this is also not standard in English.
For reading historical or literary texts where it might appear. It is not necessary for active use in speaking or writing modern English.
The most accepted pronunciation in an English context is /ˈæmiː/ (AM-ee), approximating the French original but with an English accent.
A plural noun (rare) meaning friends, companions, or associates.
Amis is usually formal, literary, archaic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To part amis (archaic for 'to part as friends')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
"AMIS" sounds like "a me" in French, which is close to "à moi" (to me). Think: 'My friends are a part of me' to remember this archaic term for friends.
Conceptual Metaphor
FRIENDSHIP IS A BOND (as in 'the bonds of amity among old amis').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'amis' be MOST appropriate?