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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 notes

In plain EnglishOriginally a Roman arena fighter; now also used figuratively for a fierce competitor or debater.

Common pairings
gladiator arena modern-day gladiator

Word forms

gladiatored past tense, gladiators plural, gladiators singular

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The _____ entered the arena to the roar of the crowd.

Etymology

From Latin gladiator, from gladius ("sword").

Origin: Latin

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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial