adj
nee
nay
adj
1
Used before a woman's maiden name to show the name she was born with, before marriage.
"Mrs. Sarah Clarke, née Thompson, gave the opening speech."
How to Use Nee
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPlaced before someone's birth surname, typically a woman's maiden name.
Common mistake
Traditionally used for women's maiden names; using it for a man's birth name ("né") is far rarer and uses a different spelling.
Common pairings
née Smith
formerly known as
Word Forms
Nees plural
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Etymology
Borrowed from French née, the feminine past participle of naître ("to be born").