guthrun: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very RareLiterary / Archaic / Historical
Quick answer
What does “guthrun” mean?
A proper noun, primarily a female given name of Old Norse origin.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proper noun, primarily a female given name of Old Norse origin.
The name is strongly associated with Germanic and Old Norse legend, particularly as the name of a tragic heroine in the Völsunga saga and the Nibelungenlied, where she is a central figure often involved in themes of revenge, loss, and fate.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. The name is equally archaic and literary in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes medieval literature, Norse mythology, and epic tragedy.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, encountered almost exclusively in translations of medieval texts or academic works.
Grammar
How to Use “guthrun” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] (subject) + verb (e.g., wept, avenged, lamented)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in literary studies, medieval history, and Germanic philology departments.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Might be encountered as an unusual given name.
Technical
Not applicable outside specific humanities fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “guthrun”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “guthrun”
- Using it as a common noun.
- Misspelling as 'Gudrun' (a common Scandinavian variant).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare proper noun from Old Norse legend, not a standard English word.
They are considered different cultural/linguistic versions of the same legendary heroine, with Guthrun from Norse sources and Kriemhild from Germanic (Middle High German) sources.
Only if you are discussing medieval literature or mythology. It has no application in general modern conversation.
The first syllable rhymes with 'put', and the 'th' is voiceless as in 'thin'. Stress is on the first syllable: GUHTH-roon.
A proper noun, primarily a female given name of Old Norse origin.
Guthrun is usually literary / archaic / historical in register.
Guthrun: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡʊθˌruːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡʊθˌrun/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'GUT feeling of RUNning' – Guthrun often has to flee or act after tragic events in the sagas.
Conceptual Metaphor
NAME IS A LEGEND / NAME IS A FATE (The name embodies a pre-destined story of tragedy and revenge).
Practice
Quiz
Guthrun is primarily known as a character from: