Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
exonym
Noun
/ˈɛk.sə.nɪm/
Definition
A name used by outsiders to refer to a geographical place, people, or language, which differs from the name used by the locals.
Examples
- The term ‘Germany’ is an exonym; in German, the country is called ‘Deutschland.’
- ‘Moscow’ is an exonym for the Russian city known as ‘Москва’ (Moskva) by its residents.
Meaning
Exonyms are often used in different languages and may not reflect the original or local pronunciation.
Synonyms
- Outsider name
- Foreign name
