Xavier

American  

[zey-vee-er, zav-ee-, zey-vyer] / ˈzeɪ vi ər, ˈzæv i-, ˈzeɪ vyər /

noun

1. Saint Francis Francisco Javierthe Apostle of the Indies, 1506–52, Spanish Jesuit missionary, especially in India and Japan.

2. a male given name: from an Arabic word meaning “bright.”

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Xavier British  

/ xaˈβjɛr, ˈzeɪvɪə, ˈzæv- /

noun

1. Saint Francis, known as the Apostle of the Indies. 1506–52, Spanish missionary, who was a founding member of the Jesuit society (1534) and later preached in Goa, Ceylon, the East Indies, and Japan. Feast day: Dec 3

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Other Word Forms

• Xaverian
  adjective

Example Sentences

"When we talk about Fatah, we're talking about the backbone of the Palestinian national movement, at least since the 1960s," says political analyst, Xavier Abu Eid, in Ramallah.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

Among this year’s participants was WSJ’s achy, blistered Xavier Martinez.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

The biggest move since Swalwell’s exit from the race, though, has been a leap in the polls from former congressman, California attorney general, and Biden Cabinet member Xavier Becerra.

From Slate • May 9, 2026

Xavier Becerra did his best impression of the old Bunsen character from “The Muppet Show.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

Fred Steadman’s name, it turned out, was Xavier Glitts.

From "Chasing Vermeer" by Blue Balliett