# Joseph

/ˈdʒoʊsəf/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. male name

noun · CEFR A1

a common first name for a man.

For teachers: a masculine given name of Hebrew origin, widely used in various forms across many cultures.

- My friend Joseph prefers to be called Joe in casual situations.
- The registrar noted that Joseph remains one of the most consistently popular names for boys across the century.

### 2. biblical figure (son of Jacob)

noun · CEFR B1

a famous person in the Bible known for his 'coat of many colors'.

For teachers: the eleventh son of Jacob in the Hebrew Bible, noted for his coat of many colours and his rise to power in Egypt.

- The story of Joseph and his brothers is a famous part of the Old Testament.
- Scholars often analyze the narrative of Joseph as a bridge between the patriarchal stories and the later exodus of the Israelites.

### 3. biblical figure (husband of Mary)

noun · CEFR B1

the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

For teachers: the husband of Mary and the legal father of Jesus in the New Testament.

- Many churches are named after Saint Joseph, the carpenter.
- In Christian tradition, Joseph is venerated as a model of humility and fatherly protection.

### 4. historical garment

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

a long coat worn by women for horse riding in the 1700s.

For teachers: a woman's long-caped riding habit or greatcoat popular during the 18th century.

- The painting shows a lady in a green joseph riding through the park.
- The museum's textile collection includes a rare silk joseph, remarkably preserved with its original decorative buttons.

## Examples

- My brother's name is Joseph.
- Joseph was chosen as the lead actor for the new play because of his strong voice.
- The name Joseph has remained a staple in many cultures for centuries, often appearing in historical texts and religious scriptures as a figure of significance.

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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.