# timothy

/ˈtɪməθi/ (US) · /tˈɪməθˌi/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. a male name

noun · CEFR A1

a common first name for a man.

For teachers: a masculine given name of Greek origin, meaning 'honouring God'.

- Timothy was the first person in his family to graduate from university.
- The name Timothy has remained a staple of English nomenclature for centuries, largely due to its biblical associations.

### 2. a type of grass

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a tall grass that farmers grow to feed animals like horses and cows.

For teachers: a perennial grass of the genus Phleum, specifically Phleum pratense, widely cultivated for hay and forage.

- The farmer harvested the timothy in late summer to feed the horses during winter.
- Timothy is highly valued by livestock owners for its high fibre content and palatability, particularly for horses with sensitive digestions.

### 3. books of the Bible

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

two books in the New Testament of the Bible, written as letters to a man named Timothy.

For teachers: either of two epistles in the New Testament (1 Timothy and 2 Timothy) attributed to the Apostle Paul.

- The priest read a passage from the first book of Timothy during the service.
- Scholars often debate the authorship of the epistles to Timothy, categorising them among the pastoral letters of the New Testament.

## Examples

- The farmer harvested the timothy to feed the horses this winter.
- Pet owners often buy high-quality timothy hay to ensure their rabbits get enough fiber for healthy digestion.
- The meadow was dominated by timothy and clover, providing a nutrient-dense grazing area that supported the herd throughout the peak summer months.

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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.