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.

---

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

---

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

---

adjective

1. in the neoclassical style made popular by Robert Adam

Adam More Idioms  

1. see not know from Adam.

---

Etymology

Origin of Adam

From the Hebrew word ādhām literally, “man”

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Adam

Adam Lazzara, the frontman of Taking Back Sunday, has a theory that shifts in family dynamics may have helped younger listeners become more comfortable embracing older bands—and vice versa.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

“The direction of travel right now is definitely toward supply expansion,” said Adam Megginson, a principal analyst at Benchmark.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026

"Workers should be consulted before their likeness or expertise is used in a way they could never had envisioned when they signed contracts decades ago," said MEAA's acting CEO Adam Portelli.

From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league lost "hundreds of millions of dollars" over the split.

From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026

Then he and Frank walked back toward Adam and the others.

From "Mystery Map (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #3)" by Franklin W. Dixon

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---