Jezebel

[ jez-uh-bel, -buhl ]

/ ˈdʒɛz əˌbɛl, -bəl /

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See synonyms for Jezebel on Thesaurus.com

noun

Also Douay Bible, Jez·a·bel . the wife of Ahab, king of Israel. 1 Kings 16:31.

(often lowercase) a wicked, shameless woman.

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Origin of Jezebel

First recorded in 1550–60 for def. 2; from Hebrew Izebhel, of uncertain origin and meaning, -zebhel perhaps representing the divine title “prince”

OTHER WORDS FROM Jezebel

Jez·e·be·li·an

[jez-uh-bee-lee-uhn, -beel-yuhn], /ˌdʒɛz əˈbi li ən, -ˈbil yən/, Jez·e·bel·ish

[jez-uh-bel-ish], /ˈdʒɛz əˌbɛl ɪʃ/, adjective

Words nearby Jezebel

Jewry, Jews, jew's-ear, Jew's harp, Jex-Blake, Jezebel, Jezreel, Jezreelite, JF, JFET, JFK

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use Jezebel in a sentence

When, many years later, Elijah and his followers triumphed, Jezebel did not beg for mercy.
The Bible Created a Blueprint for Vilifying Powerful Women Leaders|Shelley Puhak|March 1, 2022|Time
“Britney Spears Needs A Makeover Almost As Bad As She Needs A Lobotomy,” said Jezebel in 2007.
Britney Spears wasn’t wrong to think people would mock her for telling the truth|Constance Grady|June 24, 2021|Vox
Isha Aran at Jezebel worries that the show “glorif[ies] the way religion can constrain people.”
Your Husband Is Definitely Gay: TLC’s Painful Portrait of Mormonism|Samantha Allen|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Jezebel has shown some sympathy to this and other male insecurities in the past.
Full Frontal Disney: Feminism's Nudity Double Standard|Emily Shire|August 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

This is again problematic because Jezebel is commendably sensitive when it comes to issues regarding race and women.
Full Frontal Disney: Feminism's Nudity Double Standard|Emily Shire|August 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Of course, this double standard is hardly only a problem for Jezebel.
Full Frontal Disney: Feminism's Nudity Double Standard|Emily Shire|August 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Before Jezebel had launched to police false photos, image comparisons were springing up across the media.
Artist Gives Celebs the ‘Natural’ Look|Justin Jones|July 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Fortunately the moon had risen, and the Jezebel's lie would only cost me a trifling delay.
The Yeoman Adventurer|George W. Gough
There was nothing to be done save wait until Old Jezebel grew weary of mischief.
Still Jim|Honor Willsie Morrow
Above the distant roar of old Jezebel, old Suma-theek's foreman's whistle sounded clear and sweet as he signaled his men.
Still Jim|Honor Willsie Morrow
Silver lay the desert with the black scratch of old Jezebel across it and the ragged purple shadows of the ranges to the east.
Still Jim|Honor Willsie Morrow
And the night shift began to repair the cofferdam for old Jezebel had dropped suddenly back into her old trail.
Still Jim|Honor Willsie Morrow

British Dictionary definitions for Jezebel

Jezebel

/ (ˈdʒɛzəˌbɛl, -bəl) /

noun

Old Testament the wife of Ahab, king of Israel: she fostered the worship of Baal and tried to destroy the prophets of Israel (I Kings 18:4–13); she was killed by Jehu (II Kings 9:29–37)

(sometimes not capital) a shameless or scheming woman

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

Cultural definitions for Jezebel

Jezebel

[ (jez-uh-bel) ]

In the Old Testament, an immoral, cruel queen of Israel who attempted to kill Elijah and other prophets of God.

notes for Jezebel

A “jezebel” is a scheming and shamelessly evil woman.