alexander the great: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal, historical, academic; occasionally journalistic or informal in metaphorical use.
Quick answer
What does “alexander the great” mean?
The historical figure Alexander III of Macedon (356–323 BC), a king and military commander who created one of the largest ancient empires, stretching from Greece to northwestern India.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The historical figure Alexander III of Macedon (356–323 BC), a king and military commander who created one of the largest ancient empires, stretching from Greece to northwestern India.
Used metaphorically to denote an exceptionally ambitious, successful, or empire-building leader in any field (politics, business, sports). Can also imply a figure whose achievements are legendary but whose life/career was brief.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in referent. Slightly more likely to appear in classical or historical contexts in UK English; in US English, may appear more frequently in popular culture or business metaphors.
Connotations
UK: Strong classical education/historical tradition connotations. US: Connotations of grand ambition and transformative success, sometimes with a hint of overreach.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both dialects within historical/academic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “alexander the great” in a Sentence
[Subject] was hailed as the Alexander the Great of [field]The ambitions of [Subject] rivaled those of Alexander the Great.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alexander the great” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The general sought to Alexandrise the region through cultural integration.
American English
- The company's strategy was to Alexander its way through the market.
adverb
British English
- The empire expanded, Alexander-like, in all directions.
American English
- He campaigned Alexander-style, with speed and boldness.
adjective
British English
- He had Alexandrian ambitions for the club.
American English
- The plan was of Alexandrian scale.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe a CEO who rapidly expands a company through aggressive acquisitions. 'He was called the Alexander the Great of the tech industry.'
Academic
Central figure in studies of Hellenistic history, military strategy, and cultural diffusion.
Everyday
Referenced in general knowledge, sometimes humorously: 'He cleaned his room like Alexander the Great conquering Persia.'
Technical
In historiography, refers to a specific period and the problems of historical sources (Romanitic vs. Vulgate traditions).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “alexander the great”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “alexander the great”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alexander the great”
- Incorrect: 'Alexander the Big', 'Alexander the Great's conquests was...' (subject-verb agreement error).
- Missing definite article: 'Alexander Great'.
- Confusing with other historical 'Alexanders'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The epithet 'the Great' (Latin: Magnus) was applied posthumously due to the unprecedented scale and speed of his military conquests and his lasting impact on world history.
He died in Babylon in 323 BC at age 32. The exact cause (illness like malaria or typhoid, poisoning, or complications from alcoholism) remains a subject of historical debate.
His famous warhorse was named Bucephalus.
It is a multi-word proper noun, functioning as a single lexical unit to name a specific historical figure. It is always written with capital letters.
The historical figure Alexander III of Macedon (356–323 BC), a king and military commander who created one of the largest ancient empires, stretching from Greece to northwestern India.
Alexander the great is usually formal, historical, academic; occasionally journalistic or informal in metaphorical use. in register.
Alexander the great: in British English it is pronounced /ˌalɪɡˈzɑːndə ðə ˈɡreɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌælɪɡˈzændər ðə ˈɡreɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to meet one's Alexander (to encounter a final, insurmountable challenge)”
- “an Alexandrian solution (a bold, decisive cut to a complex problem)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
**ALEX**ander **AND** his Great Empire **X**-panded rapidly. (A-LEX-ANDER & X-PANDED).
Conceptual Metaphor
AMBITION IS A CONQUEST; A LIFE IS A BRIEF, BRIGHT FLAME; CREATING LEGACY IS BUILDING AN EMPIRE.
Practice
Quiz
In a metaphorical business context, calling someone 'an Alexander the Great' most strongly implies what?