pharaoh

noun

pha·​raoh ˈfer-(ˌ)ō  ˈfā-(ˌ)rō 

often capitalized

1

: a ruler of ancient Egypt

2

: tyrant

Synonyms

• dictator
• 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

Small wonder that although the statue is expressive of Jordan’s signature, physically sprawling move, one leg is as stiff as a pharaoh’s, his feet are weirdly flat, his jersey is pooched as if a possum were wriggling inside it. —Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 30 Aug. 2025

Leprosy still existed, pharaohs did not. —Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025

For centuries, this fungus was feared as a silent killer lurking in ancient tombs, responsible for mysterious deaths and the legend of the pharaoh’s curse. —Justin Stebbing, JSTOR Daily, 24 July 2025

Could an Egyptian pharaoh or a Chinese emperor have used a stiff drink or two to build their kingdoms? —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 16 July 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