Adam

[ad-uhm, a-dahn]

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.

Adam

¹

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Adam¹

From the Hebrew word ādhām literally, “man”

Idioms and Phrases

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.

see not know from Adam.

Example Sentences

Adam Dai, founder of fireworks exporter Miracle Fireworks, based in the central Chinese province of Hunan, said a few American customers have already reached out and asked that their shipments be held.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“All they do is tear up our road,” said Adam Argo, town manager.

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The party has already pulled back from its previous commitment to offer an independence referendum within five years, made at the last election in 2021 under former leader Adam Price.

Read more on BBC

During the attack he tried to shield his girlfriend Mapal Adam and was also shot, but survived by playing dead for hours.

Read more on BBC

Adam Johnson’s epic is a story of power, survival, loss and courage, set in the Polynesia of centuries past.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal