lincoln: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Formal, Historical, Brand-related
Quick answer
What does “lincoln” mean?
A proper noun, primarily referring to Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, or the city of Lincoln in England.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proper noun, primarily referring to Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, or the city of Lincoln in England.
Used as a common noun to refer to a type of luxury automobile (Lincoln), a breed of sheep (Lincoln Longwool), or as a surname. Can also refer to institutions, monuments, or places named after Abraham Lincoln.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'Lincoln' most commonly refers to the cathedral city in Lincolnshire. In the US, it overwhelmingly refers to President Abraham Lincoln or the car brand. The US also has many towns/states named Lincoln.
Connotations
UK: Historical, ecclesiastical, regional. US: Presidential, historical, patriotic, luxury (car brand).
Frequency
Higher frequency in US English due to the president's central role in national history and the presence of the car brand.
Grammar
How to Use “lincoln” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] (standalone)the [Lincoln] of [history]a [Lincoln] (referring to car)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lincoln” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Lincoln-green cloth
- a Lincoln-based company
American English
- Lincoln-era politics
- a Lincoln-style hat
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the Ford Motor Company's luxury vehicle division.
Academic
Primarily in historical, political science, or American studies contexts.
Everyday
Referring to the person, the car, or the place. 'We visited Lincoln Cathedral.' 'He drives a Lincoln.'
Technical
In automotive contexts, refers to specific models. In textiles, 'Lincoln green' is a colour.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lincoln”
- Using lowercase 'l' (it's always a proper noun). Confusing the UK city with the US references. Using 'Lincoln' as a verb or adjective without a hyphen (e.g., 'Lincoln-esque' is preferred over 'Lincolnesque').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, primarily to refer to a car made by the Lincoln Motor Company (e.g., 'He parked his Lincoln outside').
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President, is the primary association, followed by the brand of luxury automobiles.
It is pronounced /ˈlɪŋkən/ in both British and American English. The 'c' is silent.
Yes, it is used as a masculine given name, particularly in the United States, in honour of the president.
A proper noun, primarily referring to Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, or the city of Lincoln in England.
Lincoln is usually formal, historical, brand-related in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Honest as Abe”
- “Lincoln-esque (resembling his qualities)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LINK connecting a LINCOLN car to a MONUMENT (the Lincoln Memorial). The word has the 'link' sound in it.
Conceptual Metaphor
LINCOLN IS A SYMBOL OF HONESTY AND UNITY. (e.g., 'He showed Lincoln-like integrity.')
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'Lincoln' most likely refer to a place in the UK?