clarissa: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (as a proper noun, not appearing on standard word frequency lists).Neutral/Formal.
Quick answer
What does “clarissa” mean?
A female given name of Latin origin.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A female given name of Latin origin.
Most commonly used as a personal name for females; also appears as the title of literary works (e.g., Samuel Richardson's 18th-century novel).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage; it is a personal name used in both varieties.
Connotations
May carry literary or historical connotations (e.g., Richardson's novel) more strongly in UK contexts due to the novel's place in the British literary canon.
Frequency
Equally rare as a common noun in both varieties. As a given name, its popularity has fluctuated historically.
Grammar
How to Use “clarissa” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] + [Verb] (e.g., Clarissa arrived).[Determiner] + Clarissa (e.g., the Clarissa I know).Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually non-existent unless referring to a person named Clarissa.
Academic
Appears primarily in literary studies discussing Samuel Richardson's novel 'Clarissa'.
Everyday
Used exclusively as a person's name.
Technical
No technical usage.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “clarissa”
- Capitalising it inconsistently (it must always be capitalised).
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a clarissa').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a proper noun (a name) used in English, not a common noun with a standard dictionary definition.
It is of Latin origin, derived from 'clarus' meaning 'bright, clear, famous'.
No, it is exclusively a proper noun. Any other use would be non-standard or a creative neologism.
Dictionaries often include notable proper nouns, especially those with significant cultural or literary importance, like the title of Richardson's novel.
A female given name of Latin origin.
Clarissa is usually neutral/formal. in register.
Clarissa: in British English it is pronounced /kləˈrɪsə/, and in American English it is pronounced /kləˈrɪsə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Clarissa sounds like 'clarity' – think of someone clear and bright.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A for proper nouns.
Practice
Quiz
What is 'Clarissa' primarily?