noun
Uncommon
Waterloo
waw-tuh-LOO
Waterloo (noun) means a decisive, final defeat, especially after a long run of success — from the phrase "meet one's Waterloo.". Example: “The champion finally met his Waterloo in the final round.”
noun
1
A decisive, final defeat, especially after a long run of success — from the phrase "meet one's Waterloo."
"The champion finally met his Waterloo in the final round."
"This lawsuit could be the company's Waterloo."
How to use Waterloo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA final, crushing defeat that ends someone's winning streak.
Memory tip
Almost always used in the fixed phrase "meet one's Waterloo," referring to the battle, not the place name itself.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
meet one's Waterloo
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Word forms
- Plural
- Waterloos
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The champion finally met his _____ in the final round.
Etymology
From the Battle of Waterloo (1815) in Belgium, where Napoleon Bonaparte suffered his final, crushing defeat — his once-unstoppable career ended in a single battle.
Class of 1815
Waterloo joined the language around 1815.
See the full Class of 1815 →
Rhymes for Waterloo
See all rhymes for Waterloo →Frequently asked questions
What does “Waterloo” mean?
The word “Waterloo” means a decisive, final defeat, especially after a long run of success — from the phrase "meet one's Waterloo.". In plain terms, a final, crushing defeat that ends someone's winning streak.
How do you pronounce “Waterloo”?
“Waterloo” is pronounced waw-tuh-LOO (/ˌwɔtɚˈluː/ in IPA).
How do you use “Waterloo” in a sentence?
Here is “Waterloo” used in a sentence: “The champion finally met his Waterloo in the final round.”
What part of speech is “Waterloo”?
“Waterloo” is a noun.
Where does the word “Waterloo” come from?
The word “Waterloo” dates back to around 1815. From the Battle of Waterloo (1815) in Belgium, where Napoleon Bonaparte suffered his final, crushing defeat — his once-unstoppable career ended in a single battle.
Is “Waterloo” a common word?
“Waterloo” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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