last name

See also: last-name

English

Pronunciation

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Noun

last name (plural last names)

1. Synonym of surname, a person's family name.

Usage notes

Both surname and last name are extremely common terms for family names in all dialects of English. The former is somewhat more common in the UK and the latter in the US. Because of the cultural or gendered associations involved, however, it is increasingly common to prefer family name in multicultural or official contexts.

Derived terms

• last-name (verb)

Anagrams

• altnames, slametan, talesman