Shakespearean

Or Shake·spear·i·an

[sheyk-speer-ee-uhn]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or suggestive of Shakespeare or his works.

noun

1. a Shakespearean scholar; a specialist in the study of the works of Shakespeare.

Shakespearean

/ ʃeɪkˈspɪərɪən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Shakespeare or his works

noun

1. a student of or specialist in Shakespeare's works

Other Word Forms

• Shakespeareanism noun
• Shakespearianism noun
• half-Shakespearean adjective
• non-Shakespearean adjective
• non-Shakespearian adjective
• post-Shakespearean adjective
• post-Shakespearian adjective
• pre-Shakespearean adjective
• pre-Shakespearian adjective
• pseudo-Shakespearean adjective
• pseudo-Shakespearian adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Shakespearean¹

First recorded in 1810–20; Shakespeare + -an

Example Sentences

The movie purports to dip into the deep well of Shakespearean magnificence but emerges only with a ladle full of greasy schmaltz.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

If ever the Shakespearean warning about those who “doth protest too much” seemed apt, Skandalakis’ overly long preface to his motion surely qualifies.

Read more on Salon

She could play chess, divide fractions, write in cursive, and do a strong-voiced recitation of at least three different Shakespearean sonnets.

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Haunting notes of music, lines of poetry and Shakespearean verses cascade out of him.

Read more on BBC

“The lady doth protest too much, methinks,” she whispers of an overwrought performance shown on stage in the Shakespearean tragedy.

Read more on Barron's