Frederick the Great

American  

noun

1. Frederick II.

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Frederick the Great British  

noun

1. official title Frederick II . 1712–86, king of Prussia (1740–86); son of Frederick William I. He gained Silesia during the War of Austrian Succession (1740–48) and his military genius during the Seven Years' War (1756–63) established Prussia as a European power. He was also a noted patron of the arts

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Example Sentences

“To quote Frederick the Great, diplomacy without weapons is like an orchestra without instruments.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

Many agreed with Frederick the Great, who wrote in December 1775, “The only real wealth is that produced by the earth.”

From Barron's • Jan. 13, 2026

His writings have intrigued heads of state from Prussia’s Frederick the Great to U.S. president Bill Clinton.

From National Geographic • Nov. 16, 2023

Frederick the Great of Prussia had a problem: His soldiers were drinking coffee instead of beer.

From New York Times • Jun. 19, 2021

The new-wave composers of the mid-eighteenth century, call them what you like, were encouraged by a new generation of art-loving patrons, such as Frederick the Great of Prussia, and by a growing concert-going public.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall