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

Sony also that year bought half of Michael Jackson’s catalog, in a deal valuing the assets over $1 billion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

Several will be running at Saratoga, including the best the state has to offer, Bob Baffert’s Nysos and Michael McCarthy’s Journalism, who will meet five others in the $1-million Met Mile.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

Michael Muckian, chair of the Cooley Peninsula Community Alert group, said: "The boat got into difficulty in the early afternoon and there is currently a number of boats on the lough still searching."

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

Some Wall Street veterans, including Michael Hartnett, a strategist at BofA Global Research, think the stock market has reached the late innings of the market cycle.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 2, 2026

Maybe Michael could have told him at lunch, if he’d been home, if he’d known.

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