koestler: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal/Literary/Historical
Quick answer
What does “koestler” mean?
A specific surname of Central European origin, most famously borne by the writer Arthur Koestler.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific surname of Central European origin, most famously borne by the writer Arthur Koestler.
Used as a referential term primarily in literary, historical, and biographical contexts to denote the individual Arthur Koestler, his works, or his ideas.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference. The name is equally referential in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes mid-20th century intellectual history, political writing, the anti-totalitarian left, and discussions of science, psychology, and creativity. May also evoke controversy related to his personal life.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general usage, appearing almost solely in academic, literary, or historical discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “koestler” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “koestler” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, history, political science, and history of science courses.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might appear in discussions of classic literature or 20th-century history.
Technical
No technical usage.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “koestler”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “koestler”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “koestler”
- Mispronouncing it as /koʊˈɛstlər/ or /ˈkɔɪstlə/.
- Misspelling as 'Kostler', 'Koessler', or 'Koesteler'.
- Attempting to use it as a common noun or verb.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is exclusively a proper noun (surname) with very low frequency outside specific literary or historical contexts.
In British English, it is typically /ˈkɜːstlə/. In American English, it is usually /ˈkɛstlər/.
He is best known for his novel 'Darkness at Noon' (1940), a seminal work on the Stalinist purges, and for his wide-ranging non-fiction on science, creativity, and parapsychology.
No, this is not standard usage. The possessive form ('Koestler's idea') or descriptive phrases ('an idea from Koestler') are used instead.
A specific surname of Central European origin, most famously borne by the writer Arthur Koestler.
Koestler is usually formal/literary/historical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'nest' for ideas, but it's 'Koest-ler' – a writer who explored the dark nest of totalitarian ideology.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A
Practice
Quiz
Arthur Koestler is most famous for his writings on which subject?