Daniel

American  

[dan-yuhl] / ˈdæn yəl /

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.”

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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

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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)

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Etymology

Origin of Daniel

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

Example Sentences

Daniel Kokotajlo, who forfeited roughly $2 million in vested equity rather than sign a non-disparagement agreement and stay quiet.

From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026

Former executive chairman Daniel Levy, who left Tottenham in September after 25 years, was generally the target of supporters ire during his long reign.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

In their research, Bernstein and co-author Daniel Posthumus offer a different explanation for why consumer sentiment has been less resilient now than in previous inflationary periods.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

According to legend, it took rough and rugged characters to tame the early American frontier: men like Daniel Boone, the trailblazer, or Mike Fink, the brawling river boatman.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

Daniel said, “It was good for her to have the competition.”

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock