Adam

[ ad-uhm a-dahn ]

noun

1. the name of the first man, according to the Bible: husband of Eve and progenitor of the human race.
2. A·dolphe Charles [a, -, dawlf, sh, a, r, l], 1803–56, French composer of comic opera and ballet music.
3. James, 1730–94, and his brother Robert, 1728–92, English architects and furniture designers.
4. Lam·bert Si·gis·bert [lah, n, -, ber, see-zheez-, ber], 1700–59, and his brother Ni·cho·las Sé·bas·tien [nee-kaw-, lah, sey-bahs-, tyan], 1705–78, French sculptors.
5. a first name.

adjective

1. of or relating to the style of architecture, decoration, or furnishings associated with Robert and James Adam, characterized by free adaptation of ancient Roman forms and interiors treated with delicate ornament generally painted in light, vivid colors.

Adam

¹

noun

1. adɑ̃ AdamAdolphe18031856MFrenchMUSIC: composer Adolphe. 1803–56, French composer, best known for his romantic ballet Giselle (1841)
2. ˈædəm AdamRobert17281792MScottishARCHITECTURE: architectARTS AND CRAFTS: furniture designer Robert. 1728–92, Scottish architect and furniture designer. Assisted by his brother, James, 1730–94, he emulated the harmony of classical and Italian Renaissance architecture

adjective

1. in the neoclassical style made popular by Robert Adam

Adam

²

/ ˈædəm /

noun

1. Old Testament the first man, created by God: the progenitor of the human race (Genesis 2–3)
2. not know someone from Adam
   to have no knowledge of or acquaintance with someone
3. the old Adam
   the evil supposedly inherent in human nature

Word History and Origins

Origin of Adam¹

From the Hebrew word ādhām literally, “man”

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. not know from Adam, to be unacquainted with:

   He says hello to us every morning, but we don't know him from Adam.

2. the old Adam, the natural tendency toward sin:

   He attributed his wild outburst to the old Adam in him.

More idioms and phrases containing Adam

see not know from Adam .

Example Sentences

"Targeted government support is essential to save millions from the misery and danger of a cold home," said Adam Scorer, its chief executive.

From BBC

"If Trump conducts mass deportations, ICE would blow past that number very quickly," Adam Isacson, a migration and border expert from the Washington Office on Latin America told the BBC.

From BBC

In July 2023, Adam Kucharski asked his Twitter followers: What platform do you think you will be spending the most time on a year from now?

From Science Magazine

He continues: “I do get emails from people who say, ‘Adam, your films are not for children.’

From Los Angeles Times

Comedian Adam Ray isn’t feeling quite like himself these days — and that’s just fine with him.

From Los Angeles Times