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 Words From

• Shake·speare·an·ism Shake·speari·an·ism noun
• half-Shake·speare·an adjective
• non-Shake·speare·an adjective
• non-Shake·speari·an adjective
• post-Shake·speare·an adjective
• post-Shake·speari·an adjective
• pre-Shake·speare·an adjective
• pre-Shake·speari·an adjective
• pseudo-Shake·speare·an adjective
• pseudo-Shake·speari·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Shakespearean¹

First recorded in 1810–20; Shakespeare + -an

Example Sentences

I am not a Shakespearean scholar, but I have hiked around in this habitat, and “Shakespearean” is the first such tome that I have found not only thought-provoking but also moving and inspirational.

From Washington Post

I volunteer this personal history because Robert McCrum’s magnificent new book, “Shakespearean,” is about, in part, Shakespeare’s ability to speak to many kinds of people in many different ways.

From Washington Post

Not that the Shakespearean riff on/rip off is limited to novels.

From The Daily Beast

Many legendary Shakespearean thespians have been indebted to drink.

From The Daily Beast

Context: The Shakespearean actor allegedly said this to a nurse who, when attempting to moisten his lips, misfired.

From The Daily Beast

And in typical Shakespearean fashion, the episode was still not done with everything.

From The Daily Beast

Paul Bowles put it that way in Let It Come Down, a title taken from a Shakespearean assassin just before he strikes.

From The Daily Beast

They were princes and were like Shakespearean young men of the brilliant water-fly type, such as Osric.

From Project Gutenberg

In turning over a pile of toast lists, the first to attract our attention is the one prepared for the Hull Shakespearean Festival.

From Project Gutenberg

With an intensity more painful than that of any Shakespearean drama, men's eyes were fastened on the armies in the field.

From Project Gutenberg

It is the very summary, the quintessence, of Shakespearean appreciation.

From Project Gutenberg

Never, probably, was a Shakespearean play so superbly mounted.

From Project Gutenberg