Jonah

American  

[joh-nuh] / ˈdʒoʊ nə /

noun

1. a Minor Prophet who, for his impiety, was thrown overboard from his ship and swallowed by a large fish, remaining in its belly for three days before being cast up onto the shore unharmed.

2. a book of the Bible bearing his name.

3. any person or thing regarded as bringing bad luck.

4. Also Jonas a male given name: from a Hebrew word meaning “dove.”

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Jonah British  

/ ˈdʒəʊnə, ˈdʒəʊnəs /

noun

1. Old Testament

   1. a Hebrew prophet who, having been thrown overboard from a ship in which he was fleeing from God, was swallowed by a great fish and vomited onto dry land

   2. the book in which his adventures are recounted

2. a person believed to bring bad luck to those around him; a jinx

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Other Word Forms

• Jonahesque
  adjective

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Jonah

The freed captives are currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital and will return home at a later date, army spokesman Danjuma Jonah Danjuma said in a statement issued on Friday evening.

From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026

Allen will also take over as chief executive and chair, succeeding BuzzFeed founder Jonah Peretti.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 11, 2026

He used the monikers "Jonah," "Plank," "Rambler," and "War Lord," among others.

From Barron's ● Apr. 29, 2026

The sprawling property, which is listed with Jonah Wilson and Josh Greer of Carolwood Estates, was snapped up by the Hollywood power couple in 2015 for $11.85 million.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 17, 2026

And I will imagine myself on the high school stage four years from now, giving a valedictorian speech after beating Jonah by way more than half a point while he looks on, moping.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

Related Words

• unlucky
• woeful