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.

Weather-driven demand is likely to recover into early next week, Eli Rubin of EBW Analytics says in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

It’s also dedicated to her husband, Eli Horowitz.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Eli Lilly’s LLY 2.39%increase; green up pointing triangle Foundayo weight-loss pill is now available in the U.S. following the Food and Drug Administration’s approval earlier this month, the company said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Eli Lilly External link made progress in its battle for weight-loss dominance Thursday, releasing its once-daily GLP-1 pill broadly through pharmacies and telehealth providers.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Eli thought about turning off the television, going back to bed.

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