samurai
6 synonyms for samurai, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A member of the warrior class in feudal Japan who served and fought for a local lord (daimyo), bound by a strict code of loyalty and honor.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use samurai
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a samurai sword
a samurai warrior
the samurai class
Etymology
Borrowed directly from Japanese 侍 (samurai), originally meaning "one who serves."
Full origin of samurai →Frequently asked questions
What does “samurai” mean?
The word “samurai” means a member of the warrior class in feudal Japan who served and fought for a local lord (daimyo), bound by a strict code of loyalty and honor. In plain terms, a traditional Japanese warrior who served a noble lord, similar in role to a European knight.
How do you pronounce “samurai”?
“Samurai” is pronounced SA-muu-reye (/ˈsæməˌɹaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “samurai” in a sentence?
Here is “samurai” used in a sentence: “The film follows a wandering samurai who is hired to protect a small farming village.”
What part of speech is “samurai”?
“Samurai” is a noun.
Where does the word “samurai” come from?
The word “samurai” comes from Japanese. Borrowed directly from Japanese 侍 (samurai), originally meaning "one who serves.".
Is “samurai” a common word?
“Samurai” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a samurai and a ninja?
A samurai was a member of Japan's warrior class, openly serving a local lord and bound by a strict code of loyalty and honor, while a ninja was a covert agent trained in stealth, espionage, and irregular tactics. Samurai fought visibly on the battlefield for their daimyo; ninja operated outside that formal military structure.
Who did a samurai serve?
A samurai served a local lord known as a daimyo, fighting on his behalf and following a strict code of loyalty and honor. This relationship of service defined the samurai's role within feudal Japan's social and military hierarchy.
Is samurai used the same way in the singular and plural?
Yes, in English "samurai" is typically used unchanged for both singular and plural, similar to words like "sheep." You would say "one samurai" or "many samurai" without adding an "s."
