Adonai

American  

[ah-daw-nahy, ah-doh-noi] / ˌɑ dɔˈnaɪ, ˌɑ doʊˈnɔɪ /

Also Adonoy

noun

1. Hebrew. a title of reverence for God, serving also as a substitute pronunciation of the Tetragrammaton.

---

Adonai British  

/ ˌædɒˈnaɪ, -ˈneɪaɪ /

noun

1. Judaism a name for God

---

Usage

What does Adonai mean? Adonai is one of the Hebrew names used for Judeo-Christian God. In Judaism and the other religions descending from Abraham, the universe was created by a single being commonly known in English as God. In the Hebrew and Christian Bibles, God’s name is written as an unpronounceable series of consonants known as the Tetragrammaton that read as YHWH or JHVH. Because they can’t or won’t say the Tetragrammaton, speakers and writers use different names for God. Adonai is one of these names that appears frequently in the Tanach, the Hebrew Bible. Adonai appears repeatedly as a name for God in the Tanach, which is written in Hebrew. Many English translations of the Christian Bible use the word Lord instead.

Etymology

Origin of Adonai

Literally, my Lord; spoken in place of the ineffable name Yahweh

Example Sentences

The team also received two former first round picks—receiver Adonai Mitchell from Indianapolis and defensive tackle Mazi Smith from Dallas.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 5, 2025

He obviously did not watch the Colts' Adonai Mitchell do exactly the same thing last week.

From BBC • Oct. 6, 2025

Colts receiver Adonai Mitchell caught a pass and seemingly was on his way to turning it into a 76-yard touchdown.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 28, 2025

Then came three straight attempts to the end zone - two intended for Adonai Mitchell, who was playing in his fifth CFP and had touchdown catches in all five.

From Washington Times • Jan. 2, 2024

“Blessed be you, Oh God... Adonai... Blessed... Blessed be—” Tears are running down his cheeks.

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz