Nimrod
Americannoun
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(in the Bible) the great-grandson of Noah: noted as a great hunter.
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Sometimes nimrod a person expert in or devoted to hunting.
Our two best archers are aptly nicknamed the Nimrod twins.
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Slang. nimrod. a foolish or inept person; doofus.
What an annoying nimrod he turned out to be.
noun
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Douay spelling: Nemrod. Old Testament a hunter, who was famous for his prowess (Genesis 10:8–9)
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a person who is dedicated to or skilled in hunting
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of Nimrod
Ultimately from Hebrew Nimrōdh, of uncertain origin and meaning
Explanation
If someone calls you a nimrod, they're either referring to your superior hunting skills or they're insulting your intelligence. Only a real nimrod wouldn't be able to tell the difference! In the Old Testament, Nimrod was a descendant of Noah and was described as "a mighty hunter." Calling an excellent hunter a nimrod comes directly from this Biblical source — and so does the word's "inept person" definition. In addition to his legendary skill with a bow and arrow, the Bible’s Nimrod is also associated with the disastrous attempt to build the Tower of Babel, a fiasco essentially caused by a bunch of nimrods.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Nimrod Cohen had always with him a Rubik's cube, and his mother carefully keeps the one that was found partially burned in his tank.
From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2025
Nimrod Cohen, 21, was on duty trying to secure the area near kibbutz Nirim when his tank malfunctioned, his father told the U.N.’s news service.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 11, 2025
“We have been pushed aside,” Yehuda Cohen, father of hostage Nimrod Cohen, told Israel’s Kan news last week.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2024
“Initially, the Americans were trying to suggest, ‘Hold your horses, think it through, don’t rush,’” said Nimrod Novik, former military advisor to former Israeli Prime Minister and President Shimon Peres.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2023
Thou idle, mighty Nimrod, where are the fruits of thy chase?
From A Tale of the Kloster A Romance of the German Mystics at the Cocalico by Brother Jabez
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
