name Common

Napoleon

nuh-POH-lee-uhn

Napoleon (name) means Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military leader and emperor. Example: “Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of the French in 1804.”

name

Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military leader and emperor.

"Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of the French in 1804."

"Historians still argue over Napoleon's true military genius."

How to use Napoleon

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMost commonly refers to the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

Common mistake

Also the name of a layered pastry dessert and a card game, both derived from the same name.

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Can you complete this real example?

_____ crowned himself Emperor of the French in 1804.

Etymology

From French Napoléon, ultimately from Italian Napoleone; often folk-explained as combining "Napoli" (Naples) and "leone" (lion), though the real origin is uncertain.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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bonaparte

Related words

Bonaparte

Rhymes for Napoleon

Leon neon peon jeon Deon Cheon pigeon Simeon Gideon Joseon galleon dungeon

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Napoleon” mean?

The word “Napoleon” means napoleon Bonaparte, the French military leader and emperor. In plain terms, most commonly refers to the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

How do you pronounce “Napoleon”?

“Napoleon” is pronounced nuh-POH-lee-uhn (/nəˈpəʊ.li.ən/ in IPA).

How do you use “Napoleon” in a sentence?

Here is “Napoleon” used in a sentence: “Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of the French in 1804.”

What part of speech is “Napoleon”?

“Napoleon” is a name.

Where does the word “Napoleon” come from?

The word “Napoleon” comes from French. From French Napoléon, ultimately from Italian Napoleone; often folk-explained as combining "Napoli" (Naples) and "leone" (lion), though the real origin is uncertain.

Is “Napoleon” a common word?

“Napoleon” is a fairly common word in modern English.

Who was Napoleon?

Napoleon refers to Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military leader and emperor.

Is Napoleon used to refer to anyone other than Bonaparte?

While Napoleon most commonly refers specifically to Napoleon Bonaparte, the name can also be used more generally as a personal name or in reference to later figures connected to his family or legacy, though its primary and defining sense is the French military leader and emperor.

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