douglas hurd: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Historical, Political
Quick answer
What does “douglas hurd” mean?
A British Conservative politician who served as Home Secretary (1985–1989) and Foreign Secretary (1989–1995).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A British Conservative politician who served as Home Secretary (1985–1989) and Foreign Secretary (1989–1995).
A reference to a specific historical figure in late 20th-century British politics, often associated with a moderate, intellectual, and patrician style of Toryism known as 'One-Nation Conservatism'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The name is recognised in the UK as a prominent political figure. In the US, recognition is generally limited to historians, political scientists, or those with a specific interest in UK politics.
Connotations
In UK usage, connotations are of traditional, centre-right, pragmatic politics. In US usage, if recognised, likely carries neutral historical reference.
Frequency
High frequency in UK political history texts; very low frequency in general American English.
Grammar
How to Use “douglas hurd” in a Sentence
[Subject] (author/politician) resembles Douglas Hurd in style.The biography of Douglas Hurd details...Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in historical context of UK government policy.
Academic
Common in political science, modern history, and British studies texts.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation, except among those interested in politics.
Technical
Used in political journalism and historical analysis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “douglas hurd”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “douglas hurd”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “douglas hurd”
- Misspelling as 'Douglas Heard' or 'Douglas Herd'. Using 'Hurd' as a common noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Douglas Hurd never became Prime Minister. He held the senior cabinet positions of Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary.
He was made a life peer in 1997 and is formally known as Lord Hurd of Westwell.
He retired from the House of Lords in 2016 and is no longer active in frontline politics.
He is also known as an author of political thrillers and historical novels.
A British Conservative politician who served as Home Secretary (1985–1989) and Foreign Secretary (1989–1995).
Douglas hurd is usually formal, historical, political in register.
Douglas hurd: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdʌɡləs hɜːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdʌɡləs hɝːd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A Douglas Hurd figure”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Douglas HURD – Historically Understated, Refined Diplomat.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON IS AN ERA (He represents a specific period of Conservative politics).
Practice
Quiz
With which UK political party was Douglas Hurd primarily associated?