Samuel
Americannoun
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a judge and prophet of Israel. 1 Samuel 1–3; 8–15.
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either of two books of the Bible bearing his name. 1 Sam., 2 Sam.
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a male given name.
noun
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a Hebrew prophet, seer, and judge, who anointed the first two kings of the Israelites (I Samuel 1–3; 8–15)
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either of the two books named after him, I and II Samuel
Etymology
Origin of Samuel
From Late Latin Samuhel, from Greek Samouḗl, from Hebrew Shĕmūʾēl “Name of El (God),” or “His name is El (God)”
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.
“The guillotine is on top of our heads,” said Samuel Sandoval Solis, a specialist in water-resources management at the University of California, Davis.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026
In the Amicus bonus episode, Dahlia sits down with Madiba K. Dennie of Balls and Strikes to discuss Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s new book and the court’s new term.
From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2026
On Nov. 13, the California Science Center’s Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will open to visitors as the final phase of its 33-year-long master plan.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026
Tom Crowther KC, defending, asked investigating officer PC Samuel Penman to watch the video that had circulated online.
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026
Bobby then drew with Samuel Reshevsky, who was the defending champion, in an extremely intense game—and the fourteen-year-old was on fire after that, at one point amassing five wins in a row.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
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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.
