name
Delilah
dih-LEYE-luh
Delilah (name) means In the Bible, the woman who betrayed Samson by discovering the secret of his strength. Example: “The story of Samson and Delilah has inspired countless paintings and films.”
name
1
In the Bible, the woman who betrayed Samson by discovering the secret of his strength.
"The story of Samson and Delilah has inspired countless paintings and films."
noun
1
A seductive, cunning woman who betrays or manipulates a man; a femme fatale.
"The press painted her as a modern-day Delilah out to bring down her powerful husband."
How to use Delilah
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA biblical name now used generally for a scheming, seductive woman who brings a man down.
Common mistake
This general "femme fatale" use is figurative and can sound old-fashioned or judgmental; it is rarely used as a neutral description.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Delilahs
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The story of Samson and _____ has inspired countless paintings and films.
Etymology
From the Hebrew name Dəlila, thought to mean roughly "she who weakened".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Delilah
See all rhymes for Delilah →Frequently asked questions
What does “Delilah” mean?
The word “Delilah” means in the Bible, the woman who betrayed Samson by discovering the secret of his strength. In plain terms, a biblical name now used generally for a scheming, seductive woman who brings a man down.
How do you pronounce “Delilah”?
“Delilah” is pronounced dih-LEYE-luh (/dɪˈlaɪlə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Delilah” in a sentence?
Here is “Delilah” used in a sentence: “The story of Samson and Delilah has inspired countless paintings and films.”
What part of speech is “Delilah”?
Depending on how it is used, “Delilah” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Delilah” come from?
The word “Delilah” comes from Hebrew. From the Hebrew name Dəlila, thought to mean roughly "she who weakened".
How many meanings does “Delilah” have?
“Delilah” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in the Bible, the woman who betrayed Samson by discovering the secret of his strength.
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