Adonis

[uh-don-is, uh-doh-nis]

noun

1. Classical Mythology.,  a youth slain by a wild boar but permitted by Zeus to pass four months every year in the lower world with Persephone, four with Aphrodite, and four wherever he chose.

2. a very handsome young man.

Adonis

/ əˈdəʊnɪs /

noun

1. Greek myth a handsome youth loved by Aphrodite. Killed by a wild boar, he was believed to spend part of the year in the underworld and part on earth, symbolizing the vegetative cycle

2. a handsome young man

Adonis

1. In classical mythology, an extremely beautiful boy who was loved by Aphrodite, the goddess of love.

By extension, an “Adonis” is any handsome young man.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Adonis¹

1615–25 Adonis for def. 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of Adonis¹

C16: from Latin, via Greek Adōnis from Phoenician adōni my lord, a title of the god Tammuz; related to Hebrew _Adonai

Example Sentences

As well as this the Hippodamia variegata, known as the Adonis ladybird have been seen in drier parts of the forest.

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The erratic spring weather disrupted some wildlife species including the rare Adonis blue butterfly.

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Three years later, then transport secretary Lord Adonis promised a portion of a £50m improvement fund.

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His manager, Adonis Smith, had turned to the players in the dugout when Rintaro came to bat and said to admire the moment.

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"Dear Adonis, I'm sorry that that man is your father," he raps in the opening bars.

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