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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.”


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

"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

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)

"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 Daniel

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

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.

Much will depend on the thoughts of chairman David Sullivan and the other significant shareholder Daniel Kretinsky, the Czech businessman who now also owns the Royal Mail.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

Indonesians Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin triumphed in the men's doubles over Indians Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty after back-and-forth match points.

From Barron's • May 17, 2026

Daniel Rice is a personal trainer in Los Angeles, a job that gives him a front-row seat to the physique coveted by today’s American man.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

The new actor will take the baton from Daniel Craig, who wrapped his five-film tenure as James Bond with the 2021 film “No Time to Die.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

Daniel leaned forward, his eyes locked on the road ahead.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

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