Florence

Meanings

1. 1proper nounproper

   A city in central Italy, the capital of the Tuscany region, famous for its Renaissance art and buildings.

   Grammar: Capitalized because it is a place name; usually no article: visit Florence, not visit the Florence.

   Patterns

   • go to Florence
   • in Florence
   • the city of Florence

   We spent three days in Florence seeing the Uffizi Gallery and the Duomo.

   Florence is often called the birthplace of the Renaissance.

   She studied art history in Florence for a year.

2. 2proper nounproper

   A female given name, used in English-speaking countries.

   Grammar: Used as a person's name, so it takes no article and is capitalized: Florence is my aunt.

   Patterns

   • named Florence
   • call someone Florence

   My grandmother's name is Florence, but everyone calls her Flo.

   Florence was a popular name in Britain in the early 1900s.

Common combinations

Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale is remembered as a pioneer of modern nursing.

the Florence Cathedral

The Florence Cathedral has a huge dome designed by Brunelleschi.

a Florence hotel

They booked a small Florence hotel near the river.

Florence, Italy

The letter was addressed to Florence, Italy.

Synonyms and how they differ

Firenze

The Italian name for the city; use it when writing in Italian or when a place uses its local name.

Word family

Florentine adjective

Relating to Florence, as in Florentine art or a Florentine steak.

Florentine noun

A person who was born in or lives in Florence.

Commonly confused: Florence or France?

Practice

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