Eli

American

[ee-lahy] / ˈi laɪ /

noun

(in the Bible) a Hebrew judge and priest.
Also Elie a male given name: from a Hebrew word meaning “height.”

Eli British

/ ˈiːlaɪ /

noun

Old Testament the highest priest at Shiloh and teacher of Samuel (I Samuel 1–3)

"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

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.

The early success of Eli Lilly’s new GLP-1 pill is the latest signal that Americans are still eager for pills that can help them lose weight.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

That makes it an attractive market for many companies–and explains the nearly 400% rise in Eli Lilly shares over the past five years.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

Eli Lilly’s LLY -1.89%decrease; red down pointing triangle late-stage study of the efficacy and safety of a treatment for type 2 diabetes has produced positive results.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

On the initial phone call, the adviser, Eli Ciswaka, had been quick to suggest a solution.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

She stood up from her chair and began to approach the camera, and Eli snapped to his senses, hurrying Boaz back to his crib.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023