Jonathan

[ jon-uh-thuhn ]

/ ˈdʒɒn ə θən /

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noun

a variety of red apple that matures in early autumn.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of Jonathan

First recorded in 1875–80; named after Jonathan Hasbrouck (died 1846), American jurist

Words nearby Jonathan

Jomon, Jon, Jonah, Jonah and the whale, Jonah crab, Jonathan, Jonathan spot, jones, Jonesboro, Joneses, Jones, John Paul

Other definitions for Jonathan (2 of 2)

Jonathan²

[ jon-uh-thuhn ]

/ ˈdʒɒn ə θən /

noun

a son of Saul and friend of David. 1 Samuel 18–20.

Archaic. an American, especially a New Englander.Compare Brother Jonathan.

a male given name: from a Hebrew word meaning “God gave.”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Jonathan in a sentence

The couple sees a therapist, but she still feels anxiety over the burden she feels she’s placed on Jonathan.
A Year Into the Pandemic, Long COVID Is Still Burdening Patients—and Their Caregivers|Francesca Trianni|March 15, 2021|Time
“Every second I am awake, I am doing something to run the house,” Jonathan says.
A Year Into the Pandemic, Long COVID Is Still Burdening Patients—and Their Caregivers|Francesca Trianni|March 15, 2021|Time
It’s just that all the responsibilities of what was once a two-parent, two-job household have fallen on the shoulders of her 42-year-old husband, Jonathan.
A Year Into the Pandemic, Long COVID Is Still Burdening Patients—and Their Caregivers|Francesca Trianni|March 15, 2021|Time
Jonathan helped compile the news items, research, and Brain Food sections for this week’s newsletter.
How A.I. can speed up the COVID-19 vaccination drive|Jeremy Kahn|January 5, 2021|Fortune

So to help the kids and keep them safe—especially their oldest child—Jonathan opted to take 12 weeks of paid leave from his teaching job under a program authorized by an emergency federal law enacted in March.
Worker advocates push to extend COVID-related emergency paid leave program|lbelanger225|December 18, 2020|Fortune
Jonathan Gruber, the economist who helped design Romneycare and the Affordable Care Act, falls on his sword before Congress.
Obamacare Architect: I Wanted to Sound Smart|Ben Jacobs|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Jonathan Moore, who secured the $1.7 million settlement in the Stewart case, is representing them.
Before Eric Garner, There Was Michael Stewart: The Tragic Story of the Real-Life Radio Raheem|Marlow Stern|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Available at Jonathan Adler Whisky Tumbler Set—Light Horn, $65 This is drinking at its most fashionable.
The Daily Beast’s 2014 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Angelina Jolie in Your Life|Allison McNearney|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Foreplay for them is getting their emails in check,” Jonathan says.
How the Property Brothers Became Your Mom’s Favorite TV Stars|Kevin Fallon|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Around 2005, Drew flew west to pursue a career in acting while Jonathan ran the business in Calgary.
How the Property Brothers Became Your Mom’s Favorite TV Stars|Kevin Fallon|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Jonathan Richardson died; a celebrated English painter of heads, and an author.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
And he commanded that Jonathan's garments should he taken off, and that he shonld be clothed with purple: and they did so.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
And they that were in the city being affrighted, opened the gates to him: so Jonathan took Joppe.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
And it came to pass, when Alexander, the king heard these words, that he honoured Jonathan yet more.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
And Jonathan stretched forth his hand to strike Bacchides, but he turned away from him backwards.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various

British Dictionary definitions for Jonathan (1 of 2)

Jonathan¹

/ (ˈdʒɒnəθən) /

noun

a variety of red apple that ripens in early autumn

Word Origin for Jonathan

C19: named after Jonathan Hasbrouk (died 1846), American jurist

British Dictionary definitions for Jonathan (2 of 2)

Jonathan²

noun

Old Testament the son of Saul and David's close friend, who was killed in battle (I Samuel 31; II Samuel 1:19–26)

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