von
word
Definition
'Von' is a word used in many German surnames, such as 'Ludwig van Beethoven' or 'Ursula von der Leyen'. It is not usually used as a normal English vocabulary word, but it appears in names and sometimes suggests historical noble origin in German-speaking contexts.
Usage & Nuances
Usually written lowercase inside a full name: 'von Trapp', 'von Neumann'. Keep the original spelling when referring to people. Do not confuse it with English words; learners mostly need to recognize it in names, not use it as a standalone vocabulary item.
Example Sentences
Her last name is von Braun.
basic
I read a book by von Neumann.
basic
In this name, von is not the first name.
basic
People often think von is a middle name, but it usually isn't.
natural
I wasn't sure whether to capitalize von in her surname.
natural
If you see von in a name, it's probably German or Austrian.
natural