noun
Uncommon
gladiator
GLA-dee-ay-tuh
Gladiator (noun) means In ancient Rome, a fighter — often a slave or captive — who fought other men or animals for public entertainment. Example: “The gladiator entered the arena to the roar of the crowd.”
noun
1
In ancient Rome, a fighter — often a slave or captive — who fought other men or animals for public entertainment.
"The gladiator entered the arena to the roar of the crowd."
2
A person who fights or competes fiercely, especially in public.
"In the courtroom, she was a real gladiator for her clients."
How to use gladiator
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOriginally a Roman arena fighter; now also used figuratively for a fierce competitor or debater.
Common pairings
gladiator arena
modern-day gladiator
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Word forms
- Plural
- gladiators
- Third person singular
- gladiators
- Past tense
- gladiatored
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ entered the arena to the roar of the crowd.
Etymology
From Latin gladiator, from gladius ("sword").
Synonyms
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prizefighter
Related words
Rhymes for gladiator
See all rhymes for gladiator →Frequently asked questions
What does “gladiator” mean?
The word “gladiator” means in ancient Rome, a fighter — often a slave or captive — who fought other men or animals for public entertainment. In plain terms, originally a Roman arena fighter; now also used figuratively for a fierce competitor or debater.
How do you pronounce “gladiator”?
“Gladiator” is pronounced GLA-dee-ay-tuh (/ˈɡlædiˌeɪ̯təː/ in IPA).
How do you use “gladiator” in a sentence?
Here is “gladiator” used in a sentence: “The gladiator entered the arena to the roar of the crowd.”
What part of speech is “gladiator”?
“Gladiator” is a noun.
Where does the word “gladiator” come from?
The word “gladiator” comes from Latin. From Latin gladiator, from gladius ("sword").
Is “gladiator” a common word?
“Gladiator” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “gladiator” have?
“Gladiator” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in ancient Rome, a fighter — often a slave or captive — who fought other men or animals for public entertainment.
