# Cain

/ˈkeɪn/ (US) · /kˈeɪn/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. biblical figure

noun · CEFR B2

The first son of Adam and Eve in the Bible, who killed his brother Abel.

For teachers: The eldest son of Adam and Eve, identified in Genesis as the first murderer for killing his brother Abel.

- In the Bible story, Cain was a farmer who became jealous of his brother.
- The narrative of Cain and Abel is frequently cited in literature as the foundational story of human conflict and sibling rivalry.

### 2. a murderer

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary · Archaic

A person who kills their own brother or someone close to them.

For teachers: A literary or archaic allusion to a murderer, specifically one who commits fratricide.

- The poet described the traitor as a modern Cain, hated by everyone.
- The protagonist felt the brand of Cain upon his brow after the accidental death of his companion, haunted by a guilt he could not escape.

### 3. a surname

noun · CEFR B1

A common family name in English-speaking countries.

For teachers: A surname of English and Irish origin, sometimes derived from the biblical name or from occupational roots.

- The author of the book is a man named James M. Cain.
- The Cain family has lived in this valley for generations, according to the local parish records.

## Examples

- The old text calls the father a cain.
- In the ancient poem, the cain returns home after a long war.
- The archaic verse describes the weary cain returning to his hearth, a figure of domestic duty long forgotten in modern prose.

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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.