Michael

American  

[mahy-kuhl] / ˈmaɪ kəl /

noun

1. (in the Abrahamic religions) a militant archangel.

2. Also called Michael I.  1921–2017, last king of Romania 1927–30, 1940–47 (son of Carol II).

3. (italics) a narrative poem (1800) by Wordsworth.

4. a male given name.

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Michael British  

/ ˈmaɪkəl /

noun

1. 1596–1645, tsar of Russia (1613–45); founder of the Romanov dynasty

2. born 1921, king of Romania (1927–30, as part of a three-part regency; 1940–47), who relinquished the throne (1930–40) in favour of his father, Carol II. He led the coup d'état that overthrew (1944) Antonescu but was forced to abdicate (1947) by the Communists

3. Bible one of the archangels. Feast day: Sept 29 or Nov 8

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Michael Cultural  

1. One of the most important angels, who was the guardian angel of the Jews (see also Jews) and the leader of the celestial armies in the Book of Revelation.

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Discover More

Michael is often depicted with scales for weighing the souls of the dead on Judgment Day.

Etymology

Origin of Michael

From Late Latin Michahel, from Greek Michaḗl, from Hebrew Mīkhāʾēl “Who is like God?”; equivalent to mi “who?” + ka “like, as” + ʾēl “God”

Example Sentences

“What we are working toward is not a rejection of multilateralism, but putting clarity and results over inefficiency and hollow words,” a senior State Department official, Michael G. DeSombre, told the U.N.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026

"Tennis players tend to play more matches than a lot of other sports," Michael Bourne, the LTA's performance director, said.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

Michael O’Rourke, chief market strategist at JonesTrading, says it’s dangerous for the broader market when hot money starts pouring into a group of small-cap stocks with speculative business models.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

In fact, the friendship between Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill dates back decades, to high school.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

Gibby muttered something under her breath as Beejee left, slamming the apartment door behind him, but Michael couldn’t hear what she said.

From "The First State of Being" by Erin Entrada Kelly