Samuel
Americannoun
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a judge and prophet of Israel. 1 Samuel 1–3; 8–15.
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either of two books of the Bible bearing his name. 1 Sam., 2 Sam.
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a male given name.
noun
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a Hebrew prophet, seer, and judge, who anointed the first two kings of the Israelites (I Samuel 1–3; 8–15)
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either of the two books named after him, I and II Samuel
Etymology
Origin of Samuel
From Late Latin Samuhel, from Greek Samouḗl, from Hebrew Shĕmūʾēl “Name of El (God),” or “His name is El (God)”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As would “Little Bear Ridge Road,” Samuel D. Hunter’s savagely unsentimental study of an estranged aunt and nephew picking through the wreckage of their family history.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
Inventory in New York City’s suburbs is “just about as tight as it’s ever been,” says Jonathan Miller, CEO of appraisal firm Miller Samuel.
From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026
I arranged to meet Samuel Plá Benitez of Lynxperience for a three-day search in Extremadura, a western rural region of Spain.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026
Samuel Githua came to the school to look for his sister.
From BBC • May 29, 2026
“I went to the river this morning,” Samuel said softly.
From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.