pharaoh

noun

pha·​raoh ˈfer-(ˌ)ō  ˈfā-(ˌ)rō 

often capitalized

1

: a ruler of ancient Egypt

2

: tyrant

Synonyms

• caesar
• despot
• dictator
• führer
• fuehrer
• oppressor
• strongman
• tyrannizer
• 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

Serving first as regent before assuming the title of pharaoh outright, Hatshepsut is one of only a few female pharaohs across ancient Egyptian history; after her death, Thutmose III ruled alone. —Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025

Best of all, though, was the Egyptian revival-style desert hotel, particularly the ballroom containing a large model of the entire infrastructure project, decorated in pharaohs and hieroglyphics. —Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 10 June 2025

The pharaoh is said to have retaliated against Moses and refused his requests in Exodus — resulting in a series of plagues. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025

In February, archaeologists revealed the lost tomb of Thutmose II, a pharaoh who ruled during the 15th century B.C.E. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 May 2025

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