bible: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, religious, and extended figurative use in academic/professional contexts.
Quick answer
What does “bible” mean?
The holy scriptures of the Christian religion, comprising the Old and New Testaments.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The holy scriptures of the Christian religion, comprising the Old and New Testaments.
Any authoritative book, guide, or comprehensive reference work on a particular subject.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. 'The Bible' as a proper noun is universal. Figurative use (e.g., 'the gardener's bible') is equally common in both.
Connotations
Carries strong religious and cultural weight. Figurative use implies supreme authority within a specific field.
Frequency
High frequency in religious contexts; medium frequency in figurative/extended use in journalism and specialist writing.
Grammar
How to Use “bible” in a Sentence
the Bible of [FIELD]consult the Bibleregard something as a bibleVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bible” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Biblical scholarship requires knowledge of ancient languages.
- The scale of the disaster was biblical.
American English
- Biblical studies is a major at the seminary.
- He faced biblical levels of flooding.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in figurative phrases like 'the investor's bible'.
Academic
Common in religious studies, theology, and cultural history. Figurative use in titles of seminal texts.
Everyday
Common in religious communities. Figurative use understood but less frequent.
Technical
Specific to theology, textual criticism, and historical linguistics (e.g., 'Biblical Hebrew').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bible”
- Using lowercase for the Christian holy book (incorrect: 'he reads the bible'; correct: 'he reads the Bible').
- Omitting the definite article 'the' when referring to the scripture (incorrect: 'stories from Bible'; correct: 'stories from the Bible').
- Using plural 'bibles' incorrectly for multiple copies of the same work (acceptable: 'they handed out bibles'; but often rephrased as 'copies of the Bible').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when referring specifically to the Christian (or Jewish) scriptures as a named work. It is capitalised as a proper noun: 'the Bible'. The lowercase 'bible' is used for the figurative meaning (an authoritative book).
Yes, this is a common and correct figurative use. It means the most authoritative or comprehensive guide on Linux. Note the lowercase 'b'.
'The Bible' (capital B) refers specifically to the holy scripture. 'A bible' (lowercase b) is any book regarded as the ultimate authority on a topic, e.g., 'This manual is a bible for engineers.'
Translations vary due to differences in source texts (e.g., Hebrew/Greek manuscripts), translation philosophy (word-for-word vs. thought-for-thought), language evolution, and denominational preferences, aiming to balance accuracy, clarity, and doctrinal perspective.
The holy scriptures of the Christian religion, comprising the Old and New Testaments.
Bible is usually formal, religious, and extended figurative use in academic/professional contexts. in register.
Bible: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbaɪbl̩/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbaɪb(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “swear on the Bible”
- “the bible of something”
- “chapter and verse (from Bible study)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth' is a popular backronym for BIBLE, highlighting its role as a guide.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN AUTHORITATIVE TEXT IS A BIBLE (e.g., 'The Chicago Manual of Style is the editor's bible').
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'bible' used correctly in its extended, figurative sense?