name
Common
benjamin
BEHND-zhuh-mihn
Benjamin (name) means a male given name of Hebrew biblical origin, borne by the youngest son of Jacob in the Old Testament. Example: “They named their son Benjamin after his great-grandfather.”
name
1
A male given name of Hebrew biblical origin, borne by the youngest son of Jacob in the Old Testament.
"They named their son Benjamin after his great-grandfather."
"For it would surely improve the domestic standing of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an unbudgeable hawk, and thereby indefinitely delay peace on that Middle Eastern front."
— , Answering Iran’s Nuclear Challenge (2009)
noun
1
Informal American slang for a hundred-dollar bill, from the portrait of Benjamin Franklin it carries.
"He pursed his lips, went to the cash register, and opened it. He pulled out two Benjamins and a US Grant, which he set down on the glass case before me."
— Vincent Zandri (2019)
"He slipped the waiter a benjamin as a thank you for the great service."
"They needed a few benjamins to cover the cost of the repairs."
"He peeled a couple of benjamins off a thick roll of cash."
How to use benjamin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common first name, or, in slang, US $100 bills — because Benjamin Franklin's face is printed on them.
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Word forms
- Plural
- benjamins
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They named their son _____ after his great-grandfather.
Etymology
From the Hebrew name Binyamin, meaning "son of the right hand."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for benjamin
See all rhymes for benjamin →Frequently asked questions
What does “benjamin” mean?
The word “benjamin” means a male given name of Hebrew biblical origin, borne by the youngest son of Jacob in the Old Testament. In plain terms, a common first name, or, in slang, US $100 bills — because Benjamin Franklin's face is printed on them.
How do you pronounce “benjamin”?
“Benjamin” is pronounced BEHND-zhuh-mihn (/ˈbɛnd͡ʒəmɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “benjamin” in a sentence?
Here is “benjamin” used in a sentence: “They named their son Benjamin after his great-grandfather.”
What part of speech is “benjamin”?
Depending on how it is used, “benjamin” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “benjamin” come from?
The word “benjamin” comes from Hebrew. From the Hebrew name Binyamin, meaning "son of the right hand.".
Is “benjamin” a common word?
“Benjamin” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “benjamin” have?
“Benjamin” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a male given name of Hebrew biblical origin, borne by the youngest son of Jacob in the Old Testament.
Why is a hundred-dollar bill called a "Benjamin"?
In American slang, a hundred-dollar bill is called a "Benjamin" because it carries the portrait of Benjamin Franklin. The nickname refers directly to the face printed on the note.
What is the difference between "Benjamin" the name and "Benjamin" the slang?
As a name, Benjamin is a male given name of Hebrew biblical origin, borne by the youngest son of Jacob in the Old Testament. As slang, a "Benjamin" is a hundred-dollar bill, named for the Franklin portrait it displays.
Is "Benjamin" for money formal or informal?
Using "Benjamin" to mean a hundred-dollar bill is very informal slang, common in casual speech and popular music. In formal or written contexts you would say "a hundred-dollar bill" instead.
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