Definition

A small plate or sign that shows a person's name or the name of a company, often found on doors or desks.

Example

The nameplate on the office door read 'Dr. Smith'.

Conversation

Did you see the new nameplate on my office door?

Yeah, it looks really nice!

Thanks! I wanted something that would stand out a bit more.

You definitely achieved that; it's very eye-catching!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Nameplate → It is formed from "name" (from Old English "nama", meaning a word by which a person or thing is known) and "plate" (from Old French "plate", meaning a flat piece of material). The word "nameplate" refers to a flat piece of material that displays a name.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'name' that identifies something and a 'plate' that holds that name — a nameplate is a flat piece that shows who or what something is.

Visually Confused Words