What does "bible" mean?
Alternative letter-case form of Bible (“a specific version, edition, translation, or copy of the Christian religious text”).
Bible
/ˈbaɪbəl/ name, noun
name, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Alternative letter-case form of Bible (“a specific version, edition, translation, or copy of the Christian religious text”).
- Grammar: bible is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: holy scripture, holy writ, authoritative guide, authoritative source.
- Useful contrasts: nonauthoritative text, novelty, profane writings.
- Usage evidence: The vicar often refers to the Bible in his sermon.
How to use "bible"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "bible" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "bible" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "bible" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "bible" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "bible" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "holy scripture" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "bible", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Alternative letter-case form of Bible (“a specific version, edition, translation, or copy of the Christian religious text”). alt-of
"The bible was used by Presley throughout his life until his death on 16 August 1977 and contains his handwritten notes, thoughts and annotations."
- 2 A specific version, edition, translation, or copy of one of the above-mentioned texts.
"He had just become able to read, with much effort, short sentences in his Bible, and was constantly engaged during his leisure hours in studying its pages."
- 3 a book regarded as authoritative in its field wordnet
- 4 Alternative letter-case form of Bible (“the analogous holy book of another religion”). alt-of
"The Buddhist bible tells this story of Buddha’s time of temptation when he was living as a hermit on the Mount of Snow."
- 5 the sacred writings of the Christian religions wordnet
Show 8 more definitions
- 6 A comprehensive manual that describes something, or a publication with a loyal readership. broadly
"handyman’s bible"
- 7 A comprehensive manual that describes something, or a publication with a loyal readership.; K&R broadly
- 8 Ellipsis of pitch bible. abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis
- 9 A binder containing copies of the most important documents for a particular matter.
"Could you please add these to the case bible?"
- 10 Synonym of holystone: a piece of sandstone used for scouring wooden decks on ships.
- 11 A compilation of problems and solutions from previous years of a given course, used by some students to cheat on tests or assignments.
"My friend’s a genius, he will give me problems one through nine. The bible of a sophomore will have the needed lines."
- 12 Omasum, the third compartment of the stomach of ruminants
- 13 The upper part of a pin-tumbler lock, containing the driver pins and springs.
Proper Noun
- 1 The main religious text in Christianity.
"In my religion class we learn about the Bible, as well as religious texts of other religions."
- 2 A surname originating as a matronymic.
- 3 The Jewish holy book that was largely incorporated into the Christian Bible.
"She's Jewish, but she doesn't read the Bible because she's not religious."
- 4 The analogous holy book of another religion or belief.
"The cult's ideological substance was the popular digest dubbed by foreigners the Little Red Book or the Bible of Maoism."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"The vicar often refers to the Bible in his sermon."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "bible"?
Common synonyms include: holy scripture, holy writ, authoritative guide, authoritative source, book, book.
How do you use "bible" in a sentence?
The vicar often refers to the Bible in his sermon.
How do you pronounce "bible"?
Pronounced /ˈbaɪbəl/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English bible, from Middle Latin biblia (“book”) (misinterpreted as a feminine from earlier Latin neuter plural biblia (“books”)), from Ancient Greek βιβλία (biblía, “books”), plural of βιβλίον (biblíon, “small book”), originally a diminutive of βίβλος (bíblos, “book”), from βύβλος (búblos, “papyrus”) (from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material). Old English used biblioþēce (from βιβλιοθήκη) and ġewritu (> English writs) for "the Scriptures".
Etymology 2
From Middle English bible, from Medieval Latin biblia (“book”) (misinterpreted as a feminine from earlier Latin neuter plural biblia (“books”)), from Ancient Greek βιβλία (biblía, “books”), plural of βιβλίον (biblíon, “small book”), originally a diminutive of βίβλος (bíblos, “book”), from βύβλος (búblos, “papyrus”) (from the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos which exported this writing material). Old English used biblioþēce (from βιβλιοθήκη) and ġewritu (whence English writs) for "the Scriptures".
Etymology 3
From a Middle English diminutive of the given name Isabel.