biblical

biblical — adjective

1. linked to the Bible, or to its stories, people, and time.

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

linked to the Bible, or to its stories, people, and time.

Example

The children drew biblical scenes of Noah and the flood.

collocation: biblical scenes

In class, we read biblical laws about food and rest.

Common collocations
  • biblical story
  • biblical name
  • biblical figure
  • biblical text
  • biblical times
Synonyms
  • scriptural

    more formal, often used for texts, quotations, or teaching

  • religious

    broader; not limited to the Bible or Christianity

  • sacred

    adds an idea of holiness, not just connection

Antonyms

Usage Note

Usually before nouns such as "story", "name", "law", or "times". Distinguish from sense 2 "EXTREME SCALE", which is a figurative way to say something is unusually large or dramatic.

Common Mistakes

We learned biblical in history class.
We learned about biblical times in history class.
This adjective normally needs a noun after it.

2. used for something so large, wild, or surprising that it feels almost unreal.

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

used for something so large, wild, or surprising that it feels almost unreal.

Example

Last night's storm caused biblical damage across the small fishing town.

collocation: biblical damage

After lunch, we found a biblical pile of dishes in the sink.

Common collocations
  • biblical damage
  • biblical rain
  • biblical flooding
  • biblical proportions
Synonyms
  • enormous

    focuses on size, with less dramatic feeling

  • epic

    often suggests a grand or impressive scale

  • staggering

    stresses how surprising the amount or effect is

Antonyms
  • small

    basic opposite for size

  • ordinary

    opposite when nothing dramatic or shocking is meant

Usage Note

Common before nouns linked with storms, floods, destruction, or proportions. Distinguish from sense 1 "BIBLE CONNECTION", which keeps a literal link to the Bible.

Common Mistakes

The museum showed biblical pots and coins.
The museum showed pots and coins from biblical times.
Sense 2 means extremely large or shocking, not "from the Bible period".
Idioms

know somebody in the biblical sense

idiom

This phrase means to have a sexual relationship with someone.

Maya admitted she knew Diego in the biblical sense.

Did you know your roommate in the biblical sense?

Word family

  • Bible
    nounB1
  • biblically
    adverbC2
  • unbiblical
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Biblical is the best choice when something is directly connected to the Bible itself: its stories, language, people, or historical setting. Scriptural is close, but it is more formal and is often used for quotations, teaching, or arguments based on holy writing. Religious is much broader and can describe any faith, belief, or practice, not only Christianity or the Bible. Sacred usually adds the idea of holiness or deep respect, so it is not a simple substitute. Say biblical names or a biblical story when the link is specific. Say religious music for church songs in general, and sacred ground when the feeling of holiness matters most.

scripturalreligious ↗sacred ↗

Etymology

GreekLate LatinFrenchEnglish

Biblical came into English through French and Latin from an older Greek word family connected with books. The Greek word biblion meant "book", and from that same family English also got Bible. At first, biblical simply meant "connected with the Bible". Later, speakers also began to use it figuratively for events that seem huge or dramatic, partly because Bible stories often involve floods, battles, and other large-scale events.