# ABEL

/ˈeɪbəɫ/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. biblical figure

noun · CEFR B1

the second son of Adam and Eve in the Bible, who was killed by his brother Cain.

For teachers: the biblical figure from the Book of Genesis, murdered by his brother Cain in the first recorded homicide.

- In the Bible story, Abel was a shepherd who offered a gift to God.
- The narrative of Cain and Abel serves as a foundational cultural archetype for sibling rivalry and the origins of human conflict.

### 2. given name

noun · CEFR B2

a traditional first name for a man.

For teachers: a male given name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'breath' or 'vapour'.

- My grandfather's name was Abel, but most people called him Abe.
- While Abel remains a classic name in many Western cultures, its popularity has fluctuated significantly over the last century.

## Examples

- Abel was a shepherd who raised sheep.
- In the story, God accepted Abel's offering but rejected Cain's.
- The murder of Abel by Cain marks the first recorded act of violence in the biblical narrative.

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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.