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Definition of elizabethan

elizabethan

/ɪˌlɪz.əˈbiː.θən/
e · liz · a · be · than
Plural:Elizabethans
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elizabethan Lexical Profile

• adjective

1

Relating to, characteristic of, or originating from the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England (1558–1603), an era particularly noted for its flourishing drama, poetry, and maritime exploration.

Example

"Students in the literature seminar analyzed the complex themes of ambition and fate in Elizabethan drama."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for elizabethan

• noun

1

A person, especially a writer, dramatist, or public figure, who lived in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Example

"Historians have written extensively about how the Elizabethans viewed astronomy and the natural world."

• Rhymes for elizabethan

• Nearby Words

elitist
elixir
eliza
elizabethan
elk
elk falls
ella

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 19th century by combining the proper name of Queen Elizabeth I of England (who reigned from 1558 to 1603) with the suffix '-an'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Elizabethan. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/elizabethan
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