Roman

1 of 3

noun (1)

Ro·​man ˈrō-mən 

1

a

: a native or resident of Rome

b

: a citizen of ancient Rome or of the Roman Empire

2

often offensive : roman catholic

3

roman : roman letters or type

Roman

2 of 3

adjective

1

: of or relating to Rome or the people of Rome

specifically : characteristic of the ancient Romans

Roman fortitude

2

a

: latin sense 1a

b

: of or relating to the Latin alphabet

3

roman : of or relating to a type style with upright characters compare italic

4

: of or relating to the see of Rome or the Roman Catholic Church

5

: having a semicircular intrados

Roman arch

6

: having a prominent slightly aquiline bridge

a Roman nose

roman

3 of 3

noun (2)

ro·​man rō-ˈmäⁿ 

: a metrical romance

Examples of Roman in a Sentence

Noun (1)

The type should be set in roman.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In the fourth century, Oribasius, the Roman emperor Julian the Apostate’s personal physician, in a set of guidelines for prenatal care, recommended long walks, fragrant white wine, and, occasionally, mustard. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026

Also joining the downtown lineup is Roman-style pizza shop Bonci. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Together, the discoveries suggest the villa’s residents embraced a distinctly Roman lifestyle despite living in what was then one of the empire’s westernmost outposts. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026

For cat-averse travelers, the tiny Romano-Gothic Church of St Michael in the same square houses the Kotor Lapidarium, a collection of stone artifacts from the Illyro-Roman period to the end of the 18th century. — Jonathan Wiggin, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Aug. 2026

As one of the world’s most recognizable luxury houses, Bvlgari brings its Roman jewelry heritage into the world of watchmaking with bold, sculptural timepieces that feel more like wearable art. — Frances Solá-Santiago, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026

The star of the excavation was an ornate Roman mosaic made of thousands of tiny stone cubes arranged in a floral pattern. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026

In Roman art, invidia is sometimes depicted as a gaunt Medusa-like figure with serpents for hair. — Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026

During the Roman period, it had been repurposed and placed under paving material—which, ironically, allowed for its facial features and other details to be well preserved. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

partly from Middle English, from Old English, from Latin Romanus, adjective & noun, from Roma Rome; partly from Middle English Romain, from Anglo-French, from Latin Romanus

Noun (2)

French, from Old French romans romance

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1765, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing Roman

• Holy Roman Empire
• Roman blind
• Roman candle
• Roman Catholic
• Roman Catholicism
• Roman collar
• Roman holiday
• Roman law
• Roman nose
• Roman numeral
• Roman shade
• the Roman alphabet

Rhymes for Roman

• bowmen
• coman
• foeman
• foemen
• gnomon
• nomen
• omen
• showman
• showmen
• soman
• toman
• yeoman

Kids Definition

Roman

1 of 2 noun

Ro·​man ˈrō-mən 

1

a

: a person born or living in Rome

b

: a citizen of the Roman Empire

2

not capitalized : roman letters or type

Roman

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of or relating to Rome or the Romans or the empire of which Rome was the original capital

2

a

: latin entry 1 sense 2

b

: of or relating to the Latin language

3

not capitalized : of or relating to a type style with upright characters (as in "these definitions")

4

: of or relating to the Roman Catholic Church