Adam

American  

[ad-uhm, a-dahn] / ˈæd əm, aˈdɑ̃ /

noun

1. the name of the first man, according to the Bible: husband of Eve and progenitor of the human race.

2. Adolphe Charles 1803–56, French composer of comic opera and ballet music.

3. James, 1730–94, and his brother Robert, 1728–92, English architects and furniture designers.

4. Lambert Sigisbert 1700–59, and his brother Nicholas Sébastien 1705–78, French sculptors.

5. a first name.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the style of architecture, decoration, or furnishings associated with Robert and James Adam, characterized by free adaptation of ancient Roman forms and interiors treated with delicate ornament generally painted in light, vivid colors.

idioms

1. not know from Adam, to be unacquainted with.

   He says hello to us every morning, but we don't know him from Adam.

2. the old Adam, the natural tendency toward sin.

   He attributed his wild outburst to the old Adam in him.

Adam ¹ British  

/ ˈædəm /

noun

1. Old Testament the first man, created by God: the progenitor of the human race (Genesis 2–3)

2. to have no knowledge of or acquaintance with someone

3. the evil supposedly inherent in human nature

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Adam ² British  

noun

1. Adolphe. 1803–56, French composer, best known for his romantic ballet Giselle (1841)

2. Robert. 1728–92, Scottish architect and furniture designer. Assisted by his brother, James, 1730–94, he emulated the harmony of classical and Italian Renaissance architecture

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adjective

1. in the neoclassical style made popular by Robert Adam

Adam More Idioms  

1. see not know from Adam.

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Etymology

Origin of Adam

From the Hebrew word ādhām literally, “man”

Example Sentences

The app’s team includes Adam DeWitt and Eric Ferguson, who previously served as CEO and chief operating officer of Grubhub, respectively, and a handful of other veterans from the food-delivery company.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

As a further effort by America’s oldest orchestra to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary, Lang takes his cue from Adam Smith.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Adam Hoffer is the director of excise tax policy at the Tax Foundation.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

Group Captain Adam Smolak, the Station Commander at RAF Akrotiri, also does not expect a quick end to the war.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Adam looked upset by that, but he didn’t say anything.

From "Hopping Mad (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #4)" by Franklin W. Dixon