name
Very common
David
DAY-vihd
David (name) means the second king of Israel and Judah in the Hebrew Bible, remembered for defeating Goliath and for his descendant Solomon. Example: “The story of David and Goliath is told to children as a lesson about courage.”
name
1
The second king of Israel and Judah in the Hebrew Bible, remembered for defeating Goliath and for his descendant Solomon.
"It appears that even David can't go to battle without his Googliath."
— Margareta Pagano, David takes on Googliath for a slice of the profits in the online shopping world (2009)
"The story of David and Goliath is told to children as a lesson about courage."
noun
1
By extension, an underdog: someone or something facing a much stronger opponent.
"The small startup was seen as a David going up against the tech giant's Goliath."
How to use David
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common male given name; also shorthand for an underdog in a David-and-Goliath sense.
Common pairings
a David versus Goliath story
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Word forms
- Plural
- Davids
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The story of _____ and Goliath is told to children as a lesson about courage.
Etymology
From Hebrew dawid, literally "beloved," via Greek and Latin into Old English and Middle English.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for David
See all rhymes for David →Frequently asked questions
What does “David” mean?
The word “David” means the second king of Israel and Judah in the Hebrew Bible, remembered for defeating Goliath and for his descendant Solomon. In plain terms, a common male given name; also shorthand for an underdog in a David-and-Goliath sense.
How do you pronounce “David”?
“David” is pronounced DAY-vihd (/ˈdeɪvɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “David” in a sentence?
Here is “David” used in a sentence: “The story of David and Goliath is told to children as a lesson about courage.”
What part of speech is “David”?
Depending on how it is used, “David” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “David” come from?
The word “David” comes from Latin. From Hebrew dawid, literally "beloved," via Greek and Latin into Old English and Middle English.
Is “David” a common word?
“David” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “David” have?
“David” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the second king of Israel and Judah in the Hebrew Bible, remembered for defeating Goliath and for his descendant Solomon.
Who was David in the Bible?
David was the second king of Israel and Judah, following Saul. As a young shepherd he famously killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stone. He united the tribes of Israel, made Jerusalem his capital, and is traditionally credited with writing many of the Psalms. His son Solomon succeeded him as king.
What is the story of David and Goliath?
Goliath was a giant Philistine warrior who challenged Israel's army, and no soldier dared face him. David, then a young shepherd, volunteered, refused armour, and used only a sling and a stone to strike Goliath's forehead and defeat him. The tale has become a byword for an underdog overcoming a far stronger opponent.
What does the name David mean?
David comes from the Hebrew name Dawid, generally understood to mean "beloved." It has stayed popular for centuries across Jewish, Christian, and secular cultures, partly because of the biblical king's fame. It is also the root of surnames and forms such as Davies, Davidson, and Dawson.
How was David related to Solomon and Jesus?
Solomon was David's son and successor, who went on to build the great Temple in Jerusalem. In Christian tradition, Jesus is also described as descended from the "house of David," fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah would come from David's line. David thus stands at the head of a hugely significant lineage.
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