name
Joseph
JOH-zihf
name
1
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.
"The story of Joseph and his coat of many colors is a well-known Bible tale."
2
In the New Testament, the husband of Mary and the earthly father of Jesus.
"Joseph is often depicted as a humble carpenter in nativity scenes."
3
A common male given name and surname derived from the biblical figure.
"Her grandfather was named Joseph after his own grandfather."
noun
1
Historically, a woman's long riding coat worn in the 18th century, buttoned down the front.
"The museum displayed an 18th-century joseph worn for horseback riding."
How to Use Joseph
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA classic biblical name for a man, still one of the most common names in the world.
Common pairings
Joseph of Arimathea
a coat of many colors
Word Forms
Josephs plural, Josephs plural, josephs plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “Joseph”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The story of _____ and his coat of many colors is a well-known Bible tale.
Etymology
From the Biblical Hebrew name Yosef, meaning roughly "may God add (to the family)." The son of Jacob in Genesis.