What Does Eponymous Mean? | Definition & Examples
Eponymous is an adjective used to describe a person or thing after which something is named (such as an inventor, discoverer, creator, or founder). It can also be used to describe the thing itself that has been named after someone or something.
In literary contexts, “eponymous” is often used to describe works that have been named after their protagonist (e.g., Jane Eyre).
Edmund Halley was the first to calculate the orbit of the eponymous Halley’s comet.
Don Quixote is the eponymous hero of Miguel de Cervantes’s famous novel.
Led Zeppelin’s eponymous debut album is seen as a landmark in hard rock.
Table of contents
Other interesting language articles
If you want to know more about commonly confused words, definitions, and differences between US and UK spellings, make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.
Confused words
Definitions
US vs. UK spellings
Frequently asked questions
- What are some synonyms of “eponymous”?
-
Some words that are synonyms or near synonyms of “eponymous” include:
- Eponymic
- Nominative
- Self-titled
- Self-named
- Titular
- How do I pronounce “eponymous”?
-
“Eponymous” has four syllables. It’s pronounced with an emphasis on the second syllable: [i-pon-uh-muss].
Sources in this article
We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.
This Scribbr articleRyan, E. (September 16, 2022). What Does Eponymous Mean? | Definition & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved October 17, 2022, from https://www.scribbr.com/definitions/eponymous/
