# Aaron

/ˈɛɹən/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/aaron
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. biblical figure

noun · CEFR B2

the older brother of Moses in the Bible and the Quran.

For teachers: the elder brother of Moses and the first High Priest of the Israelites as described in the Old Testament and the Quran.

- In the Bible, Aaron spoke for his brother Moses when they met the King of Egypt.
- The biblical narrative depicts Aaron as a vital intermediary, serving as the primary spokesperson for Moses during their negotiations with Pharaoh.

### 2. given name

noun · CEFR A1

a common first name for a man.

For teachers: a masculine given name of Hebrew origin, widely used in English-speaking countries.

- My friend Aaron is coming over to help me fix my computer tonight.
- Aaron was among the most popular names for boys in the United States throughout the late twentieth century.

### 3. leader of thieves

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an old word for the leader of a group of criminals.

For teachers: a term in obsolete criminal cant referring to the leader of a gang of thieves.

- The old story told of an Aaron who led his band of thieves through the dark streets.
- The historical text describes the local Aaron as a cunning figure who coordinated the activities of several pickpocketing rings across the city.

Usage: This sense is found only in historical literature or dictionaries of old slang.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.