son of adam: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “son of adam” mean?
A human being, especially a man, considered as a descendant of the biblical Adam.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A human being, especially a man, considered as a descendant of the biblical Adam.
Refers to mankind or humanity in general, often used in religious, poetic, or rhetorical contexts to emphasize common human nature or mortality.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or syntactic differences; usage is consistent across varieties.
Connotations
Both associate it with biblical or literary contexts.
Frequency
Equally infrequent in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “son of adam” in a Sentence
Used as a noun phrase typically in subject or object position, e.g., 'Every son of Adam is mortal.'Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “son of adam” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He acknowledged every son of Adam in his speech.
American English
- He recognized every son of Adam in his address.
adverb
British English
- He spoke son-of-Adam-like, emphasizing common humanity.
American English
- He talked in a son-of-Adam manner, highlighting shared traits.
adjective
British English
- The son-of-Adam nature was evident in his actions.
American English
- The son-of-Adam character was clear in his behavior.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in business contexts.
Academic
Found in theological, literary, or philosophical discussions.
Everyday
Rarely used in everyday conversation; mostly in religious or formal speech.
Technical
No usage in technical fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “son of adam”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “son of adam”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “son of adam”
- Using it to refer to women; it traditionally refers to male humans.
- Confusing it with 'son of God'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally, it refers to men, but in modern usage, it can be interpreted to include all humans, though it's often masculine.
It originates from the Bible, where Adam is the first man, and thus all humans are considered his descendants.
It is very rare and mostly confined to religious, literary, or formal contexts.
Yes, many languages have equivalent expressions based on biblical or cultural references, such as 'fil d'Adam' in French or 'hijo de Adán' in Spanish.
A human being, especially a man, considered as a descendant of the biblical Adam.
Son of adam is usually formal/literary in register.
Son of adam: in British English it is pronounced /sʌn ɒv ˈædəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /sʌn əv ˈædəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “son of Adam”
- “every son of Adam”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of Adam from the Bible; all humans are his sons, so 'son of Adam' means a human.
Conceptual Metaphor
Humanity as a lineage from Adam, often implying mortality or fallen state.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'son of Adam' primarily refer to?