Definition & Meaning of "proper noun"in English

What is a "proper noun"?

A proper noun is a specific name used to identify a particular person, place, organization, or thing. Unlike common nouns, which refer to general items, proper nouns are always capitalized and refer to unique entities. Examples include "John," "Paris," "Microsoft," and "Christmas." Proper nouns help distinguish specific individuals or places from broader categories. For instance, "city" is a common noun, while "New York" is a proper noun. Recognizing proper nouns is important for identifying specific names in language and following proper capitalization rules.