methuselah: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Very low frequency, literary/technical)Formal, literary, or specialised (oenology). Rarely used in casual conversation.
Quick answer
What does “methuselah” mean?
A name from the Bible, referring to a man of great age.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A name from the Bible, referring to a man of great age; a common noun for a very old person or thing.
A large wine bottle (equivalent to eight standard bottles) named for its association with great age. Also used metaphorically for anything or anyone of immense age.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. The term is equally rare in both varieties. In oenological contexts, the term is standardised in the international wine trade.
Connotations
Connotes extreme antiquity, often with a biblical, historical, or slightly humorous tone. Can imply something is outdated or venerable.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British literary or religious contexts, but the difference is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “methuselah” in a Sentence
[Subject] is a (veritable/regular) methuselah.They found a methuselah of [object] in the cellar.He's as old as Methuselah.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “methuselah” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The archaeologist uncovered a methuselah artefact from the deepest stratum.
- He had a methuselah-like beard that reached his waist.
American English
- They discovered a methuselah oak tree in the protected forest.
- The museum displayed a methuselah manuscript from the 9th century.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Might appear metaphorically in a very formal report describing an obsolete system: 'The company's IT infrastructure is a methuselah in the digital age.'
Academic
Used in biblical studies, historical anthropology, and literary analysis. Also in oenology for the bottle size.
Everyday
Rare. Used humorously or for emphasis: 'That car is as old as Methuselah!'
Technical
Primarily in viticulture/oenology as a standardised bottle size (6 litres/8 standard bottles).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “methuselah”
- Misspelling: 'Methusula', 'Methusala', 'Methusaleh'.
- Incorrect capitalisation when used as a common noun (e.g., 'He's a Methuselah' vs. 'he's a methuselah').
- Using it for things that are merely old, not proverbially or exceptionally ancient.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Methuselah is a figure from the Hebrew Bible (Book of Genesis), said to have lived 969 years. He is not considered a historical figure by mainstream scholars but a mythological/legendary one.
Yes, but it is a very literary or hyperbolic choice. It's more natural for objects with a sense of living history or antiquity, like a tree, a manuscript, or a tradition, rather than a simple old building.
A methuselah holds 6 litres, which is equivalent to eight standard 750ml bottles of wine. It is commonly used for Champagne and Sparkling Wine.
It is most commonly used as a noun, both as a proper noun (the biblical figure) and a common noun (a very old thing/person or a large bottle). It can be used attributively as an adjective (e.g., a methuselah age). It is not used as a verb or adverb.
A name from the Bible, referring to a man of great age.
Methuselah is usually formal, literary, or specialised (oenology). rarely used in casual conversation. in register.
Methuselah: in British English it is pronounced /mɪˈθjuːzələ/, and in American English it is pronounced /məˈθuːzələ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “old as Methuselah”
- “Methuselah's age”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Methuselah sounds like 'methus-elah' which you can think of as 'Methus-OLD-ah' to remember he was incredibly old.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON IS A LIFESPAN (specifically, an extremely long one); AGE IS SIZE (large wine bottle for aged wine).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'methuselah' a standardised technical term?