pharaoh

noun

pha·​raoh ˈfer-(ˌ)ō  ˈfā-(ˌ)rō 

variants often Pharaoh

1

: a ruler of ancient Egypt

2

: tyrant

Synonyms of pharaoh

• dictator
• tyrant

Examples of pharaoh in a Sentence

like some pharaoh of a third-world country, more interested in building monuments to himself than in creating a future for his people

Recent Examples on the Web

In Egypt, certain pharaohs seemed, for reasons still debated, to tilt their own representations from the ideal to the natural. — Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Should anyone ever find themselves in a real jam, like imprisonment by a vengeful pharaoh or life-threatening thirst, God pops by long enough to get the story back on track. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 22 Mar. 2026

In Egypt, the first female pharaoh Hatshepsut presents a fascinating case of artists figuring out how to treat a female body in a traditionally male role. — Anna Swartwood House, The Conversation, 2 Mar. 2026

Last month, officials announced the discovery of a massive statue believed to depict the powerful pharaoh often linked to Exodus. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pharao, from Old English, from Late Latin pharaon-, pharao, from Greek pharaō, from Hebrew parʽōh, from Egyptian pr-ʽʾ̹

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pharaoh

• pharaoh ant

Rhymes for pharaoh

• aero
• faro
• garo
• marrow
• narrow
• sparrow
• taro
• bolero
• bracero
• estero
• herero
• montero

Kids Definition

pharaoh

noun

pha·​raoh ˈfe(ə)r-ō  ˈfa(ə)r- 

ˈfā-rō

often capitalized

: a ruler of ancient Egypt

Etymology

Old English pharao "pharaoh," from Latin pharaon-, pharao (same meaning), from Greek pharaō (same meaning), from Hebrew par'ōh "pharaoh," of Egyptian origin