cummings: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Literary
Quick answer
What does “cummings” mean?
A surname, most notably of the American poet E. E.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A surname, most notably of the American poet E. E. Cummings.
Used to refer to the poet E. E. Cummings or to his distinctive, innovative style of poetry (often lowercase: 'cummingsesque').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in reference to the poet. The stylised lowercase presentation of the poet's name was his own preference, but style guides often capitalise it (E. E. Cummings).
Connotations
Connotes modernist poetry, typographical experimentation, and themes of love and spring.
Frequency
More frequent in American academic and literary contexts due to the poet's nationality.
Grammar
How to Use “cummings” in a Sentence
refer to [Cummings]analyse [Cummings's work]imitate [Cummings]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cummings” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not used as a verb]
American English
- [Not used as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The critic described the verse as distinctly Cummings-like.
American English
- She wrote a very cummingsesque poem for the workshop.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in literature departments; e.g., 'The seminar focused on Cummings and Williams.'
Everyday
Rare, except among those with an interest in poetry.
Technical
Used in stylistics and literary analysis to describe specific typographic or syntactic techniques.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cummings”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cummings”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cummings”
- Misspelling as 'Cumings' or 'Cummins'.
- Incorrectly capitalising his stylised name in direct quotation: 'e. e. cummings'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
While the poet himself favoured the lowercase version, most modern style guides recommend capitalising it: E. E. Cummings.
No, it is exclusively a proper noun (a surname). It can be used adjectivally (e.g., 'a Cummings poem') or to form derivative adjectives like 'cummingsesque'.
Love, nature (especially spring), individuality, and the joy of life are central themes.
Due to his radical experimentation with syntax, punctuation, word coinages, and the visual arrangement of words on the page.
A surname, most notably of the American poet E. E.
Cummings is usually formal / literary in register.
Cummings: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌmɪŋz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʌmɪŋz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[not commonly idiomatic]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Cummings *comes* with unconventional punctuation.'
Conceptual Metaphor
INNOVATION IS BREAKING FORM (e.g., his poetry breaks the conventional 'mould' of the page).
Practice
Quiz
What is E. E. Cummings best known for?