# Rachel

/ˈɹeɪtʃəɫ/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. female name

noun · CEFR A1

a common first name for a woman.

For teachers: a female given name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'ewe'.

- My friend Rachel is coming over for dinner this evening.
- The name Rachel has remained a popular choice for girls in English-speaking countries for several decades.

### 2. biblical figure

noun · CEFR B2

a woman in the Bible who was the wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph.

For teachers: the younger daughter of Laban and the second wife of Jacob in the Hebrew Bible.

- In the Bible, Rachel is described as the mother of Joseph and Benjamin.
- The narrative of Rachel and Leah is a central story in the Book of Genesis regarding the origins of the tribes of Israel.

### 3. a sandwich

noun · CEFR C1 · American English

a sandwich made with turkey, Swiss cheese, and coleslaw on rye bread.

For teachers: a variation of the Reuben sandwich, typically substituting turkey for corned beef and coleslaw for sauerkraut.

- I ordered a Rachel sandwich because I prefer turkey over beef.
- While the Reuben is a classic, many diners offer the Rachel as a lighter alternative featuring deli-sliced turkey and creamy coleslaw.

### 4. a tan colour

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a light tan or beige colour, often used to describe makeup powder.

For teachers: a light tan or yellowish-beige hue, primarily used in the context of cosmetic face powders.

- She looked for a face powder in a rachel shade to match her skin.
- The vintage cosmetic line featured several shades of face powder, including a pale rachel intended for fair complexions.

## Examples

- My friend Rachel is coming to dinner tonight.
- The manager asked Rachel to lead the presentation because of her excellent public speaking skills.
- While the name Rachel has fluctuated in popularity over the decades, it remains a classic choice that bridges traditional and modern naming conventions.

---

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.