אדון
adón/ʔaːˈdoːn/
The English phrase "lord" is translated into Hebrew as אדון (adón).
אדון is a versatile word. It can be used as a name for God, but it also carries secular meanings. In non-religious contexts, it refers to a master, a gentleman or a person of high social standing.
Meaning: God (name)
Which one should you use?
While אדון means "lord" or "master" in a general sense, the specific title אֲדֹנָי (Adonai) is used in religious contexts to refer to God.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In select Ashkenazi Jewish circles, the term Ribon Olam is used to mean "Master of the Universe".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of אדון is אדונים (adónim), meaning "lords" or "masters".
How do you pronounce it?
adón (/ʔaːˈdoːn/)
Did you know?
- In secular Israeli society, referring to someone as אדון can sometimes be used sarcastically to imply a person is acting overly posh or pretentious.
- Though it refers to one God, אֲדֹנָי is a plural noun, a linguistic feature known as the 'plural of majesty'.
- The word אדון is a linguistic relative of the Hebrew word for 'law', which is דִּין. This connection implies that a 'lord' is historically defined by their power to judge or rule through legal authority.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry אדון, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries אדון, CC BY-SA 4.0.
