Raphael

American  

[raf-ee-uhl, rey-fee-, rah-fahy-el] / ˈræf i əl, ˈreɪ fi-, ˌrɑ faɪˈɛl /

noun

1. Raffaello Santi or Sanzio, 1483–1520, Italian painter.

2. one of the archangels.

3. a male given name: from a Hebrew word meaning “healing of the Lord.”

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Raphael British  

/ ˈræfeɪəl /

noun

1. Bible one of the archangels; the angel of healing and the guardian of Tobias (Tobit 3:17; 5–12). Feast day: Sept 29

2. original name Raffaello Santi or Sanzio . 1483–1520, Italian painter and architect, regarded as one of the greatest artists of the High Renaissance. His many paintings include the Sistine Madonna (?1513) and the Transfiguration (unfinished, 1520)

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Raphael Cultural  

1. A sixteenth-century Italian painter. A contemporary of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, he is known for his beautiful and gracious Madonnas and The School of Athens (see Plato's Academy).

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Other Word Forms

• Raphaelesque
  adjective

Example Sentences

Michelangelo’s burning resentment of Da Vinci kept him warm at night, and his hostility toward Raphael fueled his years-long dedication to tagging up the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling.

From Salon • May 16, 2026

Last year, Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the 7 October attacks, told the BBC she had "practised being booed" during rehearsals.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

Senate seat held by freshman Democrat Raphael Warnock.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Due out May 1, it features contributions from R&B pioneer Raphael Saadiq, pop star Khalid, rapper Vic Mensa and more.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

This was appropriate: Raphael had paid tribute to the Mona Lisa by painting his own versions, and his Castiglione was also turned to the side.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day