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.
Inventory in New York City’s suburbs is “just about as tight as it’s ever been,” says Jonathan Miller, CEO of appraisal firm Miller Samuel.
From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026
On Thursday, Justice Neil Gorsuch—dissenting alongside Thomas, as well as Justices Samuel Alito and Amy Coney Barrett—similarly suggested that Pitchford may still be put to death.
From Slate • May 28, 2026
Together with his brother Samuel Irving Newhouse Jr., known as Si, Donald oversaw and expanded the sprawling media company that was founded by their father more than a century ago.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026
Britain's Toby Samuel earned £75,000 in Paris after coming through qualifying to reach a Grand Slam main draw for the first time.
From BBC • May 27, 2026
Samuel Pepys records how he sat up reading the volume until 2 am, calling it ‘the most ingenious book that ever I read in my life’.
From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
