Israeli

American

[iz-rey-lee] / ɪzˈreɪ li /

noun

plural

Israelis,

plural

Israeli

a native or inhabitant of modern Israel.

adjective

of or relating to modern Israel or its inhabitants.

Israeli British

/ ɪzˈreɪlɪ /

noun

a citizen or inhabitant of the state of Israel

"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

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of the state of Israel or its inhabitants

"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

Other Word Forms

anti-Israeli noun
pro-Israeli noun

Etymology

Origin of Israeli

First recorded in 1945–50; from Hebrew yisrāʿēlī, equivalent to Yisrā'ēl + -ī a suffix indicating relationship or origin; see origin at Israel

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.

So, too, have the Iranians, who have reportedly increased their efforts to dig out stockpiles of missiles and drones buried by U.S. and Israeli strikes.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2026

Cogat, the Israeli defence body that controls Gaza's crossings, says it is working with international organisations "to address sanitation needs".

From BBC • May 2, 2026

A previous update said the IDF intercepted two "aerial targets" before they managed to cross into Israeli territory.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

Spain demanded the immediate release of one of its citizens held by the Israeli authorities.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

The only Jews we knew were the Israeli soldiers.

From "Tasting the Sky" by Ibtisam Barakat

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