name

Ishmael

IHSH-may-uhl

Ishmael (name) means In the Bible, the eldest son of Abraham, traditionally regarded as an ancestor of the Arab peoples. Example: “Ishmael is honoured in Islamic tradition as a prophet.”

name

In the Bible, the eldest son of Abraham, traditionally regarded as an ancestor of the Arab peoples.

"Ishmael is honoured in Islamic tradition as a prophet."

A male given name from Hebrew.

"His name was Ishmael, after his grandfather."

noun

(literary) An outcast, someone excluded from society.

"After the scandal, he lived as an ishmael among his former colleagues."

How to use Ishmael

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA biblical figure and given name, sometimes used figuratively to mean an outcast.

Word forms

Ishmaels plural

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_____ is honoured in Islamic tradition as a prophet.

Etymology

From Hebrew yishma'el ("God hears").

Origin: Hebrew

Rhymes for Ishmael

Gael Yael Israel Azrael Rafael Michael Rachael Raphael Carmichael

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Ishmael” mean?

The word “Ishmael” means in the Bible, the eldest son of Abraham, traditionally regarded as an ancestor of the Arab peoples. In plain terms, a biblical figure and given name, sometimes used figuratively to mean an outcast.

How do you pronounce “Ishmael”?

“Ishmael” is pronounced IHSH-may-uhl (/ˈɪʃ.meɪ.əl/ in IPA).

How do you use “Ishmael” in a sentence?

Here is “Ishmael” used in a sentence: “Ishmael is honoured in Islamic tradition as a prophet.”

What part of speech is “Ishmael”?

Depending on how it is used, “Ishmael” can be a name and a noun.

Where does the word “Ishmael” come from?

The word “Ishmael” comes from Hebrew. From Hebrew yishma'el ("God hears").

How many meanings does “Ishmael” have?

“Ishmael” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in the Bible, the eldest son of Abraham, traditionally regarded as an ancestor of the Arab peoples.

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Words with hebrew origins