Joseph
6 synonyms for Joseph, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Name — A figure in the Hebrew Bible, the favored son of Jacob who was sold into slavery by his brothers but rose to power in Egypt.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use Joseph
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Joseph of Arimathea
a coat of many colors
Etymology
From the Biblical Hebrew name Yosef, meaning roughly "may God add (to the family)." The son of Jacob in Genesis.
Full origin of Joseph →Frequently asked questions
What does “Joseph” mean?
The word “Joseph” means a figure in the Hebrew Bible, the favored son of Jacob who was sold into slavery by his brothers but rose to power in Egypt. In plain terms, a classic biblical name for a man, still one of the most common names in the world.
How do you pronounce “Joseph”?
“Joseph” is pronounced JOH-zihf (/ˈd͡ʒoʊsəf/ in IPA).
How do you use “Joseph” in a sentence?
Here is “Joseph” used in a sentence: “The story of Joseph and his coat of many colors is a well-known Bible tale.”
What part of speech is “Joseph”?
Depending on how it is used, “Joseph” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Joseph” come from?
The word “Joseph” comes from Hebrew. From the Biblical Hebrew name Yosef, meaning roughly "may God add (to the family)." The son of Jacob in Genesis.
Is “Joseph” a common word?
“Joseph” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Joseph” have?
“Joseph” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a figure in the Hebrew Bible, the favored son of Jacob who was sold into slavery by his brothers but rose to power in Egypt.
Who was Joseph in the Bible?
Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob and the elder son of Rachel, favored by his father and given a special coat. His jealous brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt, where he rose from prisoner to Pharaoh's right hand, interpreting dreams and saving the region from a devastating famine.
Why did Joseph's brothers sell him into slavery?
Joseph was his father Jacob's clear favorite, which bred deep jealousy among his brothers. He also shared dreams suggesting they would one day bow to him, which fueled their resentment. Rather than kill him, they sold him to traders bound for Egypt and told Jacob that a wild animal had killed him.
What is Joseph famous for?
Joseph is best known for his coat of many colors, his gift for interpreting dreams, and his rise from slave and prisoner to governor of Egypt. He is also remembered for forgiving the brothers who betrayed him and for reuniting his family during a severe famine.
What does the name Joseph mean?
Joseph comes from the Hebrew Yosef, meaning "he will add" or "may God add." In the biblical story, Rachel chose it hoping God would give her another son. The name remains widely used across Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions and has many forms in different languages.
Is this Joseph the same as the father of Jesus?
No. The Joseph sold into slavery lived in the Old Testament and was a son of Jacob. Joseph the husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus appears in the New Testament, centuries later. They share a name but are entirely different figures.
