gladiator

noun

glad·​i·​a·​tor ˈgla-dē-ˌā-tər 

1

: a person engaged in a fight to the death as public entertainment for ancient Romans

2

: a person engaging in a public fight or controversy

3

: a trained fighter

especially : a professional boxer

gladiatorial

ˌgla-dē-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

Synonyms of gladiator

• boxer
• fighter

Examples of gladiator in a Sentence

the two punch-drunk gladiators stumbled to their corners

Recent Examples on the Web

Her shoe looks have also included Valentino Rockstud heels, D’accori’s strappy Belle platforms and gladiator styles. — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 16 July 2026

The day prior, on July 13, Zendaya wore vintage Sophia Webster gladiator sandals—further proving that, while Athena may be the goddess of wisdom, Zendaya is the goddess of press tours. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 15 July 2026

She was seen Monday in New York wearing a plunging archival Alberta Ferretti minidress and Sophia Webster heeled gladiators. — Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026

Rising through the ranks as a gladiator, Maximus fights his way back to Rome to seek vengeance and restore honor to the Empire. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from gladius sword, of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh cleddyf sword

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gladiator

• creator
• curator
• debater
• deflator
• dictator
• dilator
• equator
• locator
• piscator
• pronator
• relator
• rotator

Kids Definition

gladiator

noun

glad·​i·​a·​tor ˈglad-ē-ˌāt-ər 

1

: a person engaged in a fight to the death for public entertainment in ancient Rome

2

: a person engaging in a fierce fight or controversy

gladiatorial

ˌglad-ē-ə-ˈtōr-ē-əl 

-ˈtȯr-

adjective

Etymology

from Latin gladiator, literally, "swordsman," from gladius "sword" — related to gladiolus