Daniel

American  

[dan-yuhl] / ˈdæn jəl /

noun

1. Bible.

   1. a prophet living in Babylon during the Captivity.

   2. the book of the Bible bearing his name. Dan.

2. Samuel, 1562–1619, English poet and historian: poet laureate 1599–1619.

3. a male given name: from a Hebrew word meaning “the Lord is my judge.”

---

Daniel ¹ British  

/ ˈdænjəl /

noun

1. Old Testament

   1. a youth who was taken into the household of Nebuchadnezzar, received guidance and apocalyptic visions from God, and was given divine protection when thrown into the lions' den

   2. the book that recounts these experiences and visions (in full The Book of the Prophet Daniel )

2. (often preceded by a) a wise upright person

---

Daniel ² British  

/ ˈdænjəl /

noun

1. Paul ( Wilson ). born 1958, English conductor; musical director of the English National Opera (1997–2005)

2. Samuel. ?1562–1619, English poet and writer: author of the sonnet sequence Delia (1592)

---

Etymology

Origin of Daniel

sense 2: referring to Daniel in the Apocryphal Book of Susanna

Example Sentences

Political handicappers give Daniel J. Sullivan little chance of winning the highly competitive race.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 12, 2026

For his part, Daniel J. Sullivan denied any malice or mischievous intent.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 12, 2026

Poppy, nine, whose father, Able Seaman Daniel Turnbull, died in 2020 from leukaemia, asked him: "What makes you laugh when you've had a difficult day?"

From BBC • Jul. 11, 2026

Platner, who had no political experience, was recruited into the race by Daniel Moraff, an Ivy League–educated consultant who served as a headhunter for progressive and unconventional Democratic candidates.

From Slate • Jul. 11, 2026

In the desk next to Zeke, though, Daniel was positively squirming with indignation, waving his hand frantically.

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness