roman

[ raw-mahn ]

/ rɔˈmɑ̃ /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for roman on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural ro·mans

[raw-mahn]. /rɔˈmɑ̃/. French.

a metrical narrative, especially in medieval French literature.

a novel.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of roman

First recorded in 1560–80; from Middle French, French roman; see origin at romance¹

Words nearby roman

Romagna, Romaic, romaine, Romains, romaji, roman, roman à clef, Roman alphabet, Roman arch, Roman blind, Roman brick

Other definitions for roman (2 of 2)

Roman

[ roh-muhn ]

/ ˈroʊ mən /

adjective

of or relating to the ancient or modern city of Rome, or to its inhabitants and their customs and culture: Roman restaurants.

of or relating to the ancient kingdom, republic, and empire whose capital was the city of Rome.

of a kind or character regarded as typical of the ancient Romans: Roman virtues.

(usually lowercase) designating or pertaining to the upright style of printing types most commonly used in modern books, periodicals, etc., of which the main text of this dictionary is an example.

of or relating to the Roman Catholic Church.

noting, pertaining to, or resembling the architecture of ancient Rome, especially the public and religious architecture, characterized by the employment of massive brick and concrete construction, with such features as the semicircular arch, the dome, and groin and barrel vaults, by the use in interiors of marble and molded stucco revetments, by the elaboration of the Greek orders as purely decorative motifs for the adornment of façades and interiors, and by an overall effect in which simplicity and grandeur of massing is often combined with much elaboration of detailing.

written in or pertaining to Roman numerals.

noun

a native, inhabitant, or citizen of ancient or modern Rome.

the dialect of Italian spoken in Rome.

(usually lowercase) roman type or lettering.

Disparaging. a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

Rare. the Latin language.

a male given name.

Origin of Roman

before 900; <Latin Rōmānus (see Rome, -an); replacing Middle English Romain<Old French <Latin, as above; replacing Old English Roman(e) <Latin, as above

OTHER WORDS FROM Roman

anti-Roman, adjective, nounnon-Roman, adjective, nounpost-Roman, adjectivepre-Roman, adjective, noun

pseudo-Roman, adjective, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use roman in a sentence

Trade could move through all the Roman territories because of the security it offered.
Humans Have Gotten Nicer and Better at Making War - Issue 94: Evolving|Steve Paulson|January 6, 2021|Nautilus
Recently, he and other scientists calculated how many floating planets the Roman telescope might find.
Rogue planets wander the galaxy all alone|Christopher Crockett|December 23, 2020|Science News For Students
“We weren’t surprised there were microearthquakes,” says Roman, considering one of the volcanoes, Mount Cleveland, is one of the most active volcanoes in the Aleutians.
An enormous supervolcano may be hiding under Alaskan islands|Beth Geiger|December 7, 2020|Science News
In either 196 or 199, the Roman emperor Septimus Severus visited the site and heard nothing.
Imagine traveling to the moon only to realize you’re allergic to it. One astronaut did.|PopSci Staff|November 25, 2020|Popular-Science

Truth is my kids are as much Irish-American as they are Roman.
Global stocks fall, dollar rises as stimulus talks fade and COVID cases spike|Bernhard Warner|October 26, 2020|Fortune
His words apply not only to the Roman Curia at the Vatican but to the entire Church throughout the world.
Pope Francis Denounces the Vatican Elite’s 'Spiritual Alzheimer’s'|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In a tiny, remote Chinese village, an ancient Roman bloodline may live on.
The Chinese Town Descended From Romans?|Nina Strochlic|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One green-eyed man, nicknamed “Cai the Roman,” became an instant celebrity due to his decidedly Roman physical characteristics.
The Chinese Town Descended From Romans?|Nina Strochlic|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The story (and some DNA evidence) goes, the locals are the descendants of a band of Roman soldiers from 36 B.C.
The Chinese Town Descended From Romans?|Nina Strochlic|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But so far, the lack of proven Roman artifacts or ruins in the town has raised suspicions.
The Chinese Town Descended From Romans?|Nina Strochlic|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Roman Pane who accompanied Columbus on his second voyage alludes to another method of using the herb.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
The last-named building remained in the possession of the Unitarians until 1861, when it was sold to the Roman Catholics.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
You will not soon be called upon to act a Roman part between your father and your friend!
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
There are very few foreign journals taken or read in the Roman States.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
Our voluntary service regulars are the last descendants of those rulers of the ancient world, the Roman Legionaries.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton

British Dictionary definitions for roman (1 of 3)

roman¹

/ (ˈrəʊmən) /

adjective

of, relating to, or denoting a vertical style of printing type: the usual form of type for most printed matterCompare italic

noun

roman type or print

Word Origin for roman

C16: so called because the style of letters is that used in ancient Roman inscriptions

British Dictionary definitions for roman (2 of 3)

roman²

/ (French rɔmɑ̃) /

noun

a metrical narrative in medieval French literature derived from the chansons de geste

British Dictionary definitions for roman (3 of 3)

Roman

/ (ˈrəʊmən) /

adjective

of or relating to Rome or its inhabitants in ancient or modern times

of or relating to Roman Catholicism or the Roman Catholic Church

denoting, relating to, or having the style of architecture used by the ancient Romans, characterized by large-scale masonry domes, barrel vaults, and semicircular arches

noun

a citizen or inhabitant of ancient or modern Rome

informal short for Roman Catholic

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with roman

Roman

see when in Rome do as the Romans do.

roman

Origin of roman

Words nearby roman

Other definitions for roman (2 of 2)

Origin of Roman

OTHER WORDS FROM Roman

Words related to roman

How to use roman in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for roman (1 of 3)

Word Origin for roman

British Dictionary definitions for roman (2 of 3)

British Dictionary definitions for roman (3 of 3)

Other Idioms and Phrases with roman