shakespeare: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, academic, literary, cultural reference
Quick answer
What does “shakespeare” mean?
An English playwright and poet of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An English playwright and poet of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.
The collected works of William Shakespeare; the style, themes, or influence characteristic of his writing; a person of exceptional literary talent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in meaning but British contexts more frequently treat 'Shakespeare' as a cultural institution. American usage sometimes employs 'Shakespeare' more broadly as a symbol of high culture.
Connotations
British: deep cultural heritage, national pride, academic tradition. American: classic literature, intellectualism, sometimes perceived as elitist or inaccessible.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in British English due to cultural proximity and educational emphasis.
Grammar
How to Use “shakespeare” in a Sentence
[verb] + Shakespeare (e.g., study, quote, perform)Shakespeare + [noun] (e.g., Shakespeare festival, Shakespeare scholar)Shakespeare's + [noun] (e.g., Shakespeare's sonnets, Shakespeare's language)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shakespeare” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The director aims to Shakespeare the script, adding soliloquies and iambic pentameter.
- They Shakespeareed the dialogue until it sounded suitably archaic.
American English
- The writer tried to Shakespeare the plot, making it more tragic and complex.
- Don't Shakespeare every line; modern audiences need clarity too.
adverb
British English
- He wrote quite Shakespeareanly, with rich metaphors and intricate wordplay.
- The character declaimed Shakespeareanly to the empty hall.
American English
- The dialogue flowed Shakespeareanly, with rhythm and depth.
- She argued Shakespeareanly, using rhetorical flourishes.
adjective
British English
- His command of language was truly Shakespearean.
- The political intrigue had a Shakespearean quality.
American English
- She delivered a Shakespearean-level performance.
- The family feud was almost Shakespearean in its drama.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in branding (e.g., 'Shakespearean leadership' in management training).
Academic
Central in literature, drama, and cultural studies departments.
Everyday
Used when discussing theatre, literature, or education.
Technical
Used in literary criticism, textual analysis, and theatre history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shakespeare”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shakespeare”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shakespeare”
- Misspelling as 'Shakesphere' or 'Shakespere'.
- Using lowercase for the person (always capitalise).
- Pronouncing the final '-speare' as /spɛər/ instead of /spɪə(r)/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is grammatically possible but very rare and stylistically marked (e.g., 'He is a modern Shakespeare'). The standard adjective is 'Shakespearean'.
He contributed thousands of words and common phrases to the lexicon, mastered multiple literary forms (sonnet, tragedy, comedy, history), and his works are foundational to Western literature and drama.
'Shakespeare' is a proper noun referring to the person or his works. 'Shakespearean' is an adjective describing things related to him or resembling his style (e.g., Shakespearean tragedy, Shakespearean language).
Use 'Shakespeare' for the person or as an attributive noun (Shakespeare festival). Use 'Shakespeare's' to indicate possession of his specific works or qualities (Shakespeare's sonnets, Shakespeare's genius).
An English playwright and poet of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.
Shakespeare is usually formal, academic, literary, cultural reference in register.
Shakespeare: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃeɪk.spɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃeɪk.spɪr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to have a touch of the Shakespeare about one (archaic: to show literary brilliance)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SHAKE' a 'SPEAR' – the iconic image of dramatic action.
Conceptual Metaphor
SHAKESPEARE IS THE FOUNDATION OF ENGLISH LITERATURE; SHAKESPEARE IS A MEASURE OF LITERARY GENIUS.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common modern use of the word 'Shakespeare' (not the adjective 'Shakespearean')?