adj

Elizabethan

ih-lih-zuh-BEETHN

adj

Belonging to or typical of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England (1558-1603) — a period known for its drama, poetry, and exploration.

"The play is written in dense Elizabethan English full of "thee" and "thou.""

"Shakespeare is the best-known writer of the Elizabethan era."

Sometimes used, usually with "new" or "second," to describe the reign of Queen Elizabeth II (1952-2022).

"Commentators called the early 1950s the start of a new Elizabethan age."

noun

A person who lived during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

"The Elizabethans were fascinated by tales of new lands across the ocean."

How to Use Elizabethan

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes anything from, or in the style of, the time when Queen Elizabeth I (or, more loosely, Elizabeth II) reigned.

Memory tip

It almost always points to Elizabeth I and Tudor-era England — theatre, exploration, fashion — unless the context clearly signals the 20th century.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

Elizabethan era Elizabethan theatre Elizabethan England Elizabethan drama

more Elizabethan comparative, Elizabethans plural, most Elizabethan superlative

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The play is written in dense _____ English full of "thee" and "thou."

Formed from the name Elizabeth plus the suffix -an, which turns a name into an adjective meaning "of or belonging to."

Ethan