What does "joseph" mean?
One whose chastity is above temptation (from the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife in Genesis xxxix).
Joseph
/ˈd͡ʒəʊzɪf/ name, noun
name, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: One whose chastity is above temptation (from the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife in Genesis xxxix).
- Grammar: joseph is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: family name, giuseppe, isaiah, jacob's son.
- Useful contrasts: anonymous person, first name, given name.
- Usage evidence: We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
How to use "joseph"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "joseph" 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 "joseph" 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 "joseph" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "joseph" 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 "joseph" 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 "family name" 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.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "joseph", 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 One whose chastity is above temptation (from the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife in Genesis xxxix).
"And my lady thought you a Joseph!"
- 2 A woman's riding habit worn in the 18th century with a long cape and buttons running down the front. capitalized, sometimes
"Some women, I grant, would not appear to advantage seated on a pillion, and attired in a drab joseph and a drab beaver-bonnet . . . travelling on pillions in snowy weather was unpleasant, though a joseph was a great protection . . . these ladies were so taken by surprise at finding such a lovely face and figure in an out-of-the-way country place, that they began to feel some curiosity about the dress she would put on when she took off her joseph"
Proper Noun
- 1 Eleventh and favorite son of Jacob, by his wife Rachel. countable, uncountable
"Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours."
- 2 The husband of Saint Mary and the father of Jesus. countable, uncountable
"Meronym: Holy Family"
- 3 The 12th sura (chapter) of the Qur'an. countable, uncountable
- 4 Joseph of Arimathea; man who donated his own prepared tomb for the burial of Jesus. countable, uncountable
- 5 A male given name from Hebrew. countable, uncountable
"I'm going to call him Joseph / or Josephine if it's a girl. / Why? / Because it's a strong name, / Joe, Joseph. / You give a kid a name like Cameron / or Alfred, or something like that, / and they end up wearing glasses / and looking at computers for the rest of their life. / - - - So Joe it is. / He'll turn out strong. Strong and smart."
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 A surname:; An English surname originating as a patronymic. countable, uncountable
- 7 A surname:; A French surname originating as a patronymic. countable, uncountable
- 8 A locale in the United States:; A city in Wallowa County, Oregon; named for Nez Perce chief Hinmatóowyalahtq̓it (called "Chief Joseph" in English). countable, uncountable
- 9 A locale in the United States:; A town in Sevier County, Utah; named for Mormon apostle Joseph Angell Young. countable, uncountable
- 10 A locale in the United States:; A ghost town in Idaho County, Idaho; named for Hinmatóowyalahtq̓it (Chief Joseph). countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
anonymous personfirst namegiven namenonbiblical figure
Example
"We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "joseph"?
Common synonyms include: family name, giuseppe, isaiah, jacob's son, jeremiah, joe.
How do you use "joseph" in a sentence?
We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
How do you pronounce "joseph"?
Pronounced /ˈd͡ʒəʊzɪf/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English Ioseph, ultimately from Biblical Hebrew יוֹסֵף (Yoséf, literally “(God) shall add”); a son of Jacob. Doublet of Yusuf.
Etymology 2
Probably in allusion to Joseph's coat of many colours in Genesis 37:3.