Jonah

[joh-nuh]

noun

1. a Minor Prophet who, for his impiety, was thrown overboard from his ship and swallowed by a large fish, remaining in its belly for three days before being cast up onto the shore unharmed.

2. a book of the Bible bearing his name.

3. any person or thing regarded as bringing bad luck.

4. Also Jonas a male given name: from a Hebrew word meaning “dove.”

Jonah

/ ˈdʒəʊnə, ˈdʒəʊnəs /

noun

1. Old Testament

   1. a Hebrew prophet who, having been thrown overboard from a ship in which he was fleeing from God, was swallowed by a great fish and vomited onto dry land

   2. the book in which his adventures are recounted

2. a person believed to bring bad luck to those around him; a jinx

Other Word Forms

• Jonahesque adjective

Example Sentences

Jonah Labib, Jacob’s father, said the boys had enjoyed a full day of competitive tournament matches at the Albion Cup in Temecula before the accident.

From Los Angeles Times

Her father, Isaac, played professional rugby for Bath and was capped by Samoa; he also played Jonah Lomu in the film Invictus.

From BBC

He also found fame in Hollywood after playing New Zealand legend Jonah Lomu in the film Invictus alongside Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon.

From BBC

Jonah thinks there is also a deeper reason for the appeal of horror, too.

From BBC

Although having netted in underground car parks in Kuala Lumpur and been fascinated by the the size of Jonah Lomu's lunch, perhaps the tournament was approached in a more leisurely fashion.

From BBC

Related Words

• unlucky 
• woeful