Shakespearean

1 of 2

adjective

Shake·​spear·​ean
variants or Shakespearian or less commonly Shaksperean or Shaksperian
1
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of Shakespeare or his writings
2
: evocative of a theme, setting, or event from a work of Shakespeare
Shakespearean pageantry

Shakespearean

2 of 2

noun

variants or Shakespearian or less commonly Shaksperean or Shaksperian
: an authority on or devotee of Shakespeare

Examples of Shakespearean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Laurence Olivier Legendary Shakespearean thespian Sir Laurence Olivier also received eight BAFTA nominations for his acting career. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 14 Feb. 2024 For those of us who loved this actor’s work, there was a particular poignancy to see words fail him for once, this actor of Shakespearean grandiloquence, tamping down his natural gift for language to express a deeper, more sorrowful truth. Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2023 Who among us would enjoy showing up to work after being demoted, knowing all the colleagues who voted to strip away our dream job? Shakespearean? Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2023 There is, of course, our old friend Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen), leader of the Autobots, who transforms out of a cool red Freightliner semi-truck and issues his commands in a voice that’s noble, stentorian, maybe even a dash Shakespearean. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 June 2023 By contrast, anti-Stratfordians regard themselves as a valiant band storming the citadel of entrenched but mistaken Shakespearean orthodoxy. Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 21 Apr. 2023 The festival, which changed its name from the Oregon Shakespearean Festival to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in 1988, had a busy schedule for many years, typically programming as many as 11 plays, in a season that began in February and generally continued through late October. Kturnqui, oregonlive, 12 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Shakespearean.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1837, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Shakespearean was in 1755

Dictionary Entries Near Shakespearean

Cite this Entry

“Shakespearean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Shakespearean. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Shakespearean

adjective
Shake·​spear·​ean
variants or Shakespearian
shāk-ˈspir-ē-ən
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of Shakespeare or his writings
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