Faust

American  

[foust] / faʊst /

noun

1. Johann c1480–c1538, German magician, alchemist, and astrologer.

2. the chief character of a medieval legend, represented as selling his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge and power.

3. (italics) a tragedy by Goethe (Part 1, 1808; Part 2, 1832).

4. (italics) an opera (1859) by Charles Gounod.

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Faust British  

/ ˈfaʊstəs, faʊst /

noun

1. German legend a magician and alchemist who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge and power

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Faust Cultural  

1. A legendary sixteenth-century magician and practitioner of alchemy, who sold his soul to the devil in exchange for youth, knowledge, and power. Christopher Marlowe, a sixteenth-century English poet, and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote famous plays about him.

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A “Faustian” bargain is one in which a person is willing to make extreme sacrifices for power or knowledge without considering the ultimate cost.

Example Sentences

Yes, Alex Faust has experience replacing a titan of the airwaves.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 23, 2025

Saul Faust, professor of paediatric immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Southampton, said norovirus "placed a huge burden on healthcare systems".

From BBC • Oct. 22, 2024

Eventually, if the vaccine shows at least 65% efficacy, and further trials take place, Prof Faust said it could be used to protect children too.

From BBC • Oct. 22, 2024

“Ophelia’s Got Talent” jointly won Germany’s Faust prize for best dance production last year, cementing Holzinger’s status as one of Europe’s rising theater stars.

From New York Times • May 28, 2024

They played potsy, humming “The Soldiers’ Chorus” from Faust which they called “Glory.”

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith