Othello

American  

[oh-thel-oh, uh-thel-oh] / oʊˈθɛl oʊ, əˈθɛl oʊ /

noun

1. a tragedy (1604) by Shakespeare.

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Othello Cultural  

1. A tragedy by William Shakespeare. The title character, a Moor, or dark-skinned Muslim, is a general commanding the forces of Venice. The villain Iago convinces Othello that Desdemona, the general's beautiful and faithful wife, has been guilty of adultery; at the end of the play, Othello smothers Desdemona. A famous line from the play is Othello's description of himself as “one that loved not wisely but too well.”

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Example Sentences

Meanwhile, the black ram called Sebastian in the movie is based on Swann’s version, named Othello.

From Salon • May 17, 2026

Her belief that she can heal the breach between Cassio and Othello is a sign of the innocence of a young woman who has known only a father’s and—until now—her husband’s devoted love.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

Grandage and McGregor have previously collaborated on Othello and Guys and Dolls, both for the Donmar theatre, where Grandage was artistic director.

From BBC • Dec. 2, 2024

“I played Othello at 22. I am about to play Othello at 70,” he said, referring to the 2025 Broadway production of the tragedy co-starring Jake Gyllenhaal.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 12, 2024

I push my way through the crowd to the front of the room, where Othello has just about had his fill of the professor.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland