webster: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Archaic/Historical
Quick answer
What does “webster” mean?
A person who weaves cloth.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who weaves cloth; a weaver.
The word is now archaic and largely only used as a surname, most famously referring to Noah Webster, the American lexicographer who compiled Webster's Dictionary, which has become synonymous with American dictionaries.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage, as the word is obsolete in both dialects. The dictionary name 'Webster's' is equally recognized, though 'Merriam-Webster' is a prominent American brand.
Connotations
As a surname, it has no particular connotation. As a dictionary name, 'Webster's' connotes authority and standard reference, especially in American English.
Frequency
Effectively zero frequency as a common noun. The surname and dictionary name have high recognition.
Grammar
How to Use “webster” in a Sentence
N/A - not used as a verbVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “webster” 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
Used only in brand names (e.g., Merriam-Webster publishing).
Academic
Might appear in historical texts discussing medieval trades or in references to lexicography.
Everyday
Only encountered as a surname or in the phrase "Look it up in Webster's."
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “webster”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “webster”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “webster”
- Using 'webster' as a modern synonym for 'website developer' or 'internet specialist'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic term for a weaver and is no longer used to describe an occupation.
It is named after Noah Webster (1758-1843), an American lexicographer who compiled 'An American Dictionary of the English Language.'
No, there is no verb form 'to webster' in modern or historical English.
The surname and the archaic job title are common to both, but the dictionary association is strongly American due to Noah Webster.
A person who weaves cloth.
Webster is usually archaic/historical in register.
Webster: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwɛbstə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwɛbstər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: WEB + STEReo. A 'weaver' creates the WEB of cloth, and the STER is an old agent suffix (like in 'spinster').
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS A DICTIONARY ('The final word, straight from Webster's').
Practice
Quiz
What is the original, now archaic, meaning of 'webster'?