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 Word Forms

• Shakespeareanism noun
• Shakespearianism noun
• half-Shakespearean adjective
• non-Shakespearean adjective
• non-Shakespearian adjective
• post-Shakespearean adjective
• post-Shakespearian adjective
• pre-Shakespearean adjective
• pre-Shakespearian adjective
• pseudo-Shakespearean adjective
• pseudo-Shakespearian adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Shakespearean¹

First recorded in 1810–20; Shakespeare + -an

Example Sentences

The more one speaks to 2hollis, the more one realizes he embodies the Shakespearean line “All the world’s a stage.”

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His rise has all the hallmarks of a Shakespearean drama.

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Even the animals are distinctive—especially Kōkī, the pet parrot who acts like a Shakespearean fool, squawking incautious truths to Tongan authority.

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He was also known for his numerous Shakespearean roles on stage and was a member of Sir Laurence Olivier's National Theatre Company at the Old Vic.

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Half the fun was working out which act of the Shakespearean drama was being enacted in front of you.

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