Romeo and Juliet

American  

noun

1. a tragedy (produced between 1591 and 1596) by Shakespeare.

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Romeo and Juliet Cultural  

1. A tragedy by William Shakespeare about two “star-crossed lovers” (see also star-crossed lovers) whose passionate love for each other ends in death because of the senseless feud between their families. The line “Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?” is well known.

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Figuratively, a “Romeo” is an amorous young man.

Example Sentences

Romeo and Juliet, directed by Jimmy Fairhurst, will run at the New Vic Theatre from 17 September to 10 October, and comes as the venue marks its 40th anniversary.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Other close-ups are less effective—for example, those fixed on the hands and arms of Romeo and Juliet for their “balcony” interlude, where their bare limbs interact in less-than-memorable choreographic configurations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

Thompson: The masquerade ball made me think about Romeo and Juliet a lot.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026

She went on to star in a youth production of Romeo and Juliet at London's Young Vic Theatre when she was 15, but wasn't sure if she could make a career of it.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025

"Well, I'm not too crazy about Romeo and Juliet," I said.

From "The Catcher in the Rye" by J. D. Salinger