name Uncommon

Macbeth

muhk-BEHTH

Macbeth (name) means a tragedy by William Shakespeare about a Scottish nobleman driven by ambition and prophecy to murder his way to the throne. Example: “The drama class is putting on Macbeth this spring.”

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A tragedy by William Shakespeare about a Scottish nobleman driven by ambition and prophecy to murder his way to the throne.

"The drama class is putting on Macbeth this spring."

The play's title character, a Scottish general who becomes king through murder and is eventually overthrown.

"Macbeth is haunted by guilt after killing King Duncan."

How to use Macbeth

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBest known as Shakespeare's play about ambition, guilt, and a Scottish king's downfall.

Common pairings

perform Macbeth the tragedy of Macbeth

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

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The drama class is putting on _____ this spring.

Etymology

From the Middle Irish name Mac Bethad, meaning "son of life."

Origin: Irish

Frequently asked questions

What does “Macbeth” mean?

The word “Macbeth” means a tragedy by William Shakespeare about a Scottish nobleman driven by ambition and prophecy to murder his way to the throne. In plain terms, best known as Shakespeare's play about ambition, guilt, and a Scottish king's downfall.

How do you pronounce “Macbeth”?

“Macbeth” is pronounced muhk-BEHTH (/məkˈbɛθ/ in IPA).

How do you use “Macbeth” in a sentence?

Here is “Macbeth” used in a sentence: “The drama class is putting on Macbeth this spring.”

What part of speech is “Macbeth”?

“Macbeth” is a name.

Where does the word “Macbeth” come from?

The word “Macbeth” comes from Irish. From the Middle Irish name Mac Bethad, meaning "son of life.".

Is “Macbeth” a common word?

“Macbeth” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Macbeth” have?

“Macbeth” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tragedy by William Shakespeare about a Scottish nobleman driven by ambition and prophecy to murder his way to the throne.

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Vocabulary lists that include Macbeth:

Words with Celtic origins