noun
Uncommon
samurai
SA-muu-reye
Samurai (noun) means a member of the warrior class in feudal Japan who served and fought for a local lord (daimyo), bound by a strict code of loyalty and honor. Example: “The film follows a wandering samurai who is hired to protect a small farming village.”
noun
1
A member of the warrior class in feudal Japan who served and fought for a local lord (daimyo), bound by a strict code of loyalty and honor.
"The film follows a wandering samurai who is hired to protect a small farming village."
"Samurai were expected to master both the sword and poetry as part of their training."
"A samurai pledged loyalty to his lord and lived by a strict code."
How to use samurai
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA traditional Japanese warrior who served a noble lord, similar in role to a European knight.
Memory tip
The plural is the same as the singular — one samurai, many samurai.
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Common pairings
a samurai sword
a samurai warrior
the samurai class
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Word forms
- Plural
- samurais
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The film follows a wandering _____ who is hired to protect a small farming village.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from Japanese 侍 (samurai), originally meaning "one who serves."
Related words
Rhymes for samurai
See all rhymes for samurai →Frequently asked questions
What does “samurai” mean?
The word “samurai” means a member of the warrior class in feudal Japan who served and fought for a local lord (daimyo), bound by a strict code of loyalty and honor. In plain terms, a traditional Japanese warrior who served a noble lord, similar in role to a European knight.
How do you pronounce “samurai”?
“Samurai” is pronounced SA-muu-reye (/ˈsæməˌɹaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “samurai” in a sentence?
Here is “samurai” used in a sentence: “The film follows a wandering samurai who is hired to protect a small farming village.”
What part of speech is “samurai”?
“Samurai” is a noun.
Where does the word “samurai” come from?
The word “samurai” comes from Japanese. Borrowed directly from Japanese 侍 (samurai), originally meaning "one who serves.".
Is “samurai” a common word?
“Samurai” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a samurai and a ninja?
A samurai was a member of Japan's warrior class, openly serving a local lord and bound by a strict code of loyalty and honor, while a ninja was a covert agent trained in stealth, espionage, and irregular tactics. Samurai fought visibly on the battlefield for their daimyo; ninja operated outside that formal military structure.
Who did a samurai serve?
A samurai served a local lord known as a daimyo, fighting on his behalf and following a strict code of loyalty and honor. This relationship of service defined the samurai's role within feudal Japan's social and military hierarchy.
Is samurai used the same way in the singular and plural?
Yes, in English "samurai" is typically used unchanged for both singular and plural, similar to words like "sheep." You would say "one samurai" or "many samurai" without adding an "s."
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