a handsome youth loved by Aphrodite. Killed by a wild boar, he was believed to spend part of the year in the underworld and part on earth, symbolizing the vegetative cycle
2.
a handsome young man
Word origin
C16: from Latin, via Greek Adōnis from Phoenician adōni my lord, a title of the god Tammuz; related to Hebrew Adonai
Adonis in American English
(əˈdɑnɪs; əˈdoʊnɪs)
noun
1. Greek Mythology
a handsome young man loved by Aphrodite: he is killed by a wild boar
2.
any very handsome young man
Derived forms
Adonic (Aˈdonic) (əˈdɑnɪk)
adjective
Word origin
L < Gr Adōnis
Examples of 'Adonis' in a sentence
Adonis
He is going to be given a `Donnie" at the Adonis Awards dinner.
Smith, Evelyn E MISS MELVILLE REGRETS (2001)
Hotchkiss glanced round to see the Adonis stalking back to his car.
Clive Barker THE GREAT AND SECRET SHOW (2001)
In actuality it is an ideal that describes not a woman at all, but a perfect male youth: the Adonis of legend.
Skelton, Alison Scott AN OLDER WOMAN (2001)
Unfortunately, Teo had a body and face that would shame Adonis.
Traci Harding THE ANCIENT FUTURE: THE DARK AGE (2001)