Is Guthrie a first name or a last name?

Guthrie is predominantly a surname (last name), though it can rarely be used as a given name.

Who is the most famous person named Guthrie?

Woodrow Wilson 'Woody' Guthrie (1912–1967), the influential American folk singer and songwriter.

How do you pronounce Guthrie?

It is pronounced /ˈɡʌθri/ (GUTH-ree), with a short 'u' as in 'cup' and a soft 'th'.

Can Guthrie be used as a regular English word?

No, it is not a common noun with a dictionary definition. It functions only as a proper noun referring to specific people, families, or places.

Is “guthrie” formal?

Guthrie is usually formal / neutral in register.

guthrie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Very Low

UK/ˈɡʌθri/US/ˈɡʌθri/

Formal / Neutral

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “guthrie” mean?

A surname of Scottish and Irish origin.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A surname of Scottish and Irish origin.

Used as a proper noun primarily to refer to individuals, families, or places bearing the name. Can also refer to specific notable figures (e.g., Woody Guthrie, the folk singer) or institutions (e.g., Guthrie Theater).

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

As a surname, usage is identical. The American context more strongly evokes the folk singer Woody Guthrie.

Connotations

British/Irish: Connotes Scottish clan history or local geography. American: Strongly associated with folk music and Dust Bowl-era protest songs.

Frequency

Higher frequency in the US due to cultural prominence of Woody Guthrie; in the UK/Ireland, frequency is tied to local distribution of the surname.

Grammar

How to Use “guthrie” in a Sentence

[Proper Noun] GuthrieThe works of [Proper Noun] Guthrie

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

Woody GuthrieGuthrie TheaterGuthrie clan

medium

The GuthriesGuthrie familyGuthrie Center

weak

Said GuthrieAccording to GuthrieNamed Guthrie

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rare, except in company names or referring to individuals.

Academic

Used in historical, musical, or genealogical studies.

Everyday

Primarily used when referring to the specific person Woody Guthrie or to someone with that surname.

Technical

Not applicable in technical fields.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “guthrie”

Neutral

The folk singerThe surname

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “guthrie”

Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'He is a guthrie').
Mispronouncing as /ˈɡuːθri/ (goo-three).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Guthrie is predominantly a surname (last name), though it can rarely be used as a given name.
: Woodrow Wilson 'Woody' Guthrie (1912–1967), the influential American folk singer and songwriter.
: It is pronounced /ˈɡʌθri/ (GUTH-ree), with a short 'u' as in 'cup' and a soft 'th'.
: No, it is not a common noun with a dictionary definition. It functions only as a proper noun referring to specific people, families, or places.
: A surname of Scottish and Irish origin.
: Guthrie is usually formal / neutral in register.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of the guitar strumming 'This Land Is Your Land' to remember Woody GUTHRIE.

Conceptual Metaphor

Not applicable for a proper noun.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The famous folk song 'This Land Is Your Land' was written by .

Multiple Choice

What is 'Guthrie' primarily classified as?