coventry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal (geographical reference); Informal (idiomatic usage).
Quick answer
What does “coventry” mean?
A city in the West Midlands of England, historically known for its cathedral and manufacturing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A city in the West Midlands of England, historically known for its cathedral and manufacturing.
Most commonly used in the idiom 'send to Coventry', meaning to deliberately and persistently ignore or ostracize someone. Also refers to a type of fast burn-out flare used in sailing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The idiom 'send to Coventry' is primarily British; American speakers may not be familiar with it and would likely say 'ostracize' or 'give the silent treatment'. The city reference is equally understood in both varieties.
Connotations
In UK, the city connotes post-war rebuilding (Coventry Cathedral). The idiom carries a strong connotation of collective, severe social exclusion.
Frequency
Geographical reference frequency is similar. Idiomatic use is low-frequency in both, but higher recognition in UK.
Grammar
How to Use “coventry” in a Sentence
[Subject] send [Object] to Coventry[Subject] be in Coventry[Subject] be from CoventryVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coventry” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They decided to Coventry him after the betrayal.
American English
- (Not used as a verb in AmE; would use 'ostracize')
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb)
American English
- (Not used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Rare) He had a Coventry-like experience at school.
American English
- (Not used as an adjective)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in metaphorical HR contexts: 'After the scandal, he was effectively sent to Coventry by his colleagues.'
Academic
Used in historical/social studies regarding the city or analyses of social exclusion.
Everyday
Primarily the idiom: 'The whole class sent him to Coventry for telling the teacher.'
Technical
In maritime contexts: 'The crew deployed a Coventry flare for the distress signal.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coventry”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coventry”
- Using lowercase for the idiomatic phrase (incorrect: 'send to coventry').
- Using the idiom in American contexts without explanation.
- Confusing with 'Conventry' (misspelling).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. Its most famous other use is in the British idiom 'send to Coventry', meaning to ostracize. There is also a specialized nautical term for a flare.
Very rarely and informally in British English (e.g., 'They Coventry'd him'). It is non-standard. The standard construction is 'send someone to Coventry'.
Many educated Americans may know it, but it is not a common phrase in everyday American English. Using 'ostracize', 'ignore', or 'give the silent treatment' is more universally understood.
The origin is uncertain. One theory relates to Coventry's historical role as a place where prisoners were sent during the English Civil War. Another suggests it originated with Coventry's citizens' dislike of soldiers, leading to shunning.
A city in the West Midlands of England, historically known for its cathedral and manufacturing.
Coventry is usually formal (geographical reference); informal (idiomatic usage). in register.
Coventry: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒv.ən.tri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʌv.ən.tri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “send to Coventry”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of COVenTRY: a COUntry village that excludes you, or a COVer-up where you're hidden away (ignored).
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL EXCLUSION IS BANISHMENT TO A REMOTE PLACE.
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'send to Coventry' mean?