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

Important settlements have existed here since the Roman times, when it was described by the writer Ausonius as one of Gaul’s great educational centers. — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 26 July 2026

Lesnar was expected to face Gunther at WWE SummerSlam, but his last-second move to SmackDown caused a number of changes that also have affected Roman Reigns’ WWE title reign. — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

Influenced by the revival of Roman law, the chancery of Frederick Barbarossa (German king and Holy Roman emperor from 1152 to 1190) adopted the term sacrum imperium as a counterblast to the universal claims of the church. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026

There are many more stories in Greek and Roman myth involving dogs. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 24 July 2026

Outside of factual content, Rise Films also produced ancient Roman sitcom Plebs, which ran on ITV2 for four seasons from 2013, and enjoyed a revival on Netflix last year. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 23 July 2026

The rocker popped the question in front of the painting, which depicts the Roman goddess of love arriving at the shore of Cyprus atop a giant scallop shell, while on tour on June 12, 2025. — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

Exceptions included the famed Roman Pool at Hearst Castle, with its shimmering blue and gold mosaic tiles and statues of Roman gods and goddesses. — Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026

Baden-Baden has been a spa town since ancient times, luring Roman-era nobles to take the waters there at its natural springs in the Black Forest. — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 23 July 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