Barry

American  

[bar-ee] / ˈbær i /

noun

1. Sir Charles, 1795–1860, English architect.

2. John, 1745–1803, American naval commander in the Revolution.

3. Leonora Marie Kearney Mother Lake, 1849–1930, U.S. labor leader and social activist, born in Ireland.

4. Philip, 1896–1949, U.S. playwright.

5. a first name: from an Irish word meaning “spear.”

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Barry ¹ British  

noun

1. Sir Charles . 1795–1860, English architect: designer of the Houses of Parliament in London

2. Comtesse du . See du Barry

3. John, real name John Barry Prendergast. 1933–2011, British composer of film scores, including several for films in the James Bond series

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Barry ² British  

/ ˈbærɪ /

noun

1. a port in SE Wales, in Vale of Glamorgan county borough on the Bristol Channel. Pop: 50 661 (2001)

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barry ³ British  

/ ˈbærɪ /

noun

1. slang a mistake or blunder; a disappointing performance

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Etymology

Origin of barry

rhyming slang for _shocker

Example Sentences

Welsh-born writer and executive producer Barry said: "Old Town Murders is more than a crime drama; at its heart, it's about friendship, reinvention and the courage to begin again later in life."

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Stifel strategists led by Thomas Carroll and Barry Bannister reiterated their 2026 estimate of 7000 for the index on Monday.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Manilow’s album “What a Time” ended up being full of Barry Manilow songs.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

Gerald Barry is today’s rare opera composer with a draught-dry wit.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

“The cloud was swelling into a mushroom, looking like an atom bomb had gone off,” Barry remembered.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone