noun
Uncommon
Nero
NEE-roh
Nero (noun) means the Roman emperor remembered for his cruelty and excess, and by extension, any tyrannical ruler. Example: “Historians still debate how much of Nero's reputation for cruelty was exaggerated by his enemies.”
noun
1
The Roman emperor remembered for his cruelty and excess, and by extension, any tyrannical ruler.
"Historians still debate how much of Nero's reputation for cruelty was exaggerated by his enemies."
2
Any especially cruel or tyrannical ruler, used as a general comparison.
"The rebels called their oppressive governor "a modern-day Nero.""
How to use Nero
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHistorically the last emperor of a Roman dynasty, now used as a byword for a cruel tyrant.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Nero.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- Neros
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Historians still debate how much of _____'s reputation for cruelty was exaggerated by his enemies.
Etymology
From Latin Nerō, the name of the Roman emperor who ruled from 54 to 68 AD.
Rhymes for Nero
See all rhymes for Nero →Frequently asked questions
What does “Nero” mean?
The word “Nero” means the Roman emperor remembered for his cruelty and excess, and by extension, any tyrannical ruler. In plain terms, historically the last emperor of a Roman dynasty, now used as a byword for a cruel tyrant.
How do you pronounce “Nero”?
“Nero” is pronounced NEE-roh (/ˈniːroʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Nero” in a sentence?
Here is “Nero” used in a sentence: “Historians still debate how much of Nero's reputation for cruelty was exaggerated by his enemies.”
What part of speech is “Nero”?
“Nero” is a noun.
Where does the word “Nero” come from?
The word “Nero” comes from Latin. From Latin Nerō, the name of the Roman emperor who ruled from 54 to 68 AD.
Is “Nero” a common word?
“Nero” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Nero” have?
“Nero” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the Roman emperor remembered for his cruelty and excess, and by extension, any tyrannical ruler.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include Nero:
