Romeo and Juliet

American

noun

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

Romeo and Juliet Cultural

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

His own narrative, however, fails to make Romeo and Juliet live anew as fresh characters.

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

It is one of the world's greatest love stories - and Romeo and Juliet is set to get a Welsh twist, with the language heard at the Globe theatre for the first time.

From BBC • Nov. 5, 2025

"Romeo and Juliet are just two rich kids who've always gotten every little thing they want. And now, they think they want each other."

From "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023