tragedian

noun

tra·​ge·​di·​an trə-ˈjē-dē-ən 

1

: a writer of tragedies

2

: an actor specializing in tragic roles

Examples of tragedian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Melville was a pessimist, and a tragedian. — Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026

The Chorus Is Watching The Greek tragedians knew how the story ends when hubris goes unchecked. — Anthony Scaramucci, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026

Electra, after all, had roles in the works of the tragedians Sophocles and Euripides, among others. — Lisa Kennedy, New York Times, 1 May 2025

Shakespeare, Ibsen, Chekhov, Beckett, the ancient Greek tragedians and Tennessee Williams were among the voices who originally called out to me. — Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024

In the play, written by the ancient Greek tragedian circa 420 BC, Elektra, haunted by her father’s assassination, is consumed by grief; a need for survival; and a thirst for vengeance. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tragedien, from Middle French, from tragedie

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tragedian

noun

tra·​ge·​di·​an trə-ˈjēd-ē-ən 

1

: a writer of tragedies

2

: an actor of tragic roles