Liz

Part of speech: noun, proper noun

Definitions

1. A shortened form commonly used as a familiar name for Elizabeth ; occasionally used as a standalone first name ; may refer to various notable individuals bearing this nickname or given name
2. An informal diminutive originating from the name Elizabeth ; often adopted as a casual or affectionate first name ; also refers to numerous people, both real and fictional, known by this name
3. A popular nickname for those named Elizabeth ; frequently used independently as a first name ; sometimes signifies prominent persons, such as celebrities or public figures, with this name

Etymology: Liz is a short form of Elizabeth, and its history runs through a single name that has been popular in Britain for centuries. Elizabeth itself comes from the Hebrew "Elisheba", meaning roughly "my God is an oath" or "God is my oath", and it reached medieval Europe through Greek and Latin forms. Its English spread was helped enormously by royalty: the name was borne by queens and noblewomen, which kept it fashionable long after it had arrived. Liz belongs to a family of diminutives built on the name's shorter parts. Earlier pet forms such as "Eliza", "Betty" and "Bess" were common in English, and "Liz" emerged as one of the nicknames that clipped the first syllables. Its spelling has varied over time, and "Lizzie" and "Lizzy" developed as affectionate variants of the same root.

Synonyms: Elizabeth, Lizzy, Beth