# Lazarus

/ˈɫæzɝəs/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

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

## Definition

someone who comes back to life after being dead, or a person who becomes successful again after a total failure. It comes from a famous story in the Bible.

For teachers: a person who recovers from a seemingly hopeless situation, such as a terminal illness or a total professional collapse. Alludes to the biblical figure raised from the dead by Jesus; often preceded by an indefinite article in this metaphorical use.

## Examples

- The politician's comeback made him a political Lazarus.
- After the company filed for bankruptcy, its sudden return to profitability was hailed as a Lazarus act by investors.
- The tech startup, once considered a relic of the dot-com bubble, proved to be a corporate Lazarus by reinventing itself as a leader in artificial intelligence.

## Usage notes

- Often used metaphorically in journalism and business to describe unexpected recoveries.

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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.