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Matthew

American  
[math-yoo] / ˈmæθ ju /

noun

  1. one of the 12 apostles of Jesus, believed to be the author of the first Gospel: originally called Levi.

  2. (in the New Testament) the first Gospel. Matt.

  3. a male given name.


Matthew British  
/ ˈmæθjuː /

noun

  1. a tax collector of Capernaum called by Christ to be one of the 12 apostles (Matthew 9:9–13; 10:3). Feast day: Sept 21 or Nov 16

  2. the first Gospel, traditionally ascribed to him

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Matthew

From Old French Mathieu, from Late Latin Matthaeus, from Greek Matthaîos, Maththaîos, from Aramaic Mattāi, shortening of Hebrew Mattityāh(ū), Mattanyāh(ū) “Gift of Yahweh”

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.

See Examples For:

“You feel yourself seen and reflected in the other people around you,” said actor Matthew Lillard, a Waters film alum and guest counselor.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 20, 2026

Online jail records show that Matthew Ware of Los Angeles was booked into the Burbank Jail on a misdemeanor battery charge and released the following morning.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 19, 2026

“Last cycle’s playbook was lock in cheap fixed debt while it existed,” said Matthew Chancey, founder of Tax Alpha Companies.

From MarketWatch Sep. 16, 2026

Hollywood actor Matthew Rhys has made history at the Emmys by becoming the first person to win two lead acting prizes in one night.

From BBC Sep. 15, 2026

He saw his mother, Mary Anne, Matthew, and Karen waiting for him in the living room.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

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