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

Try tailored neutral floor-to-ceiling linen curtains or a simple Roman shade instead. — Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 18 July 2026

Roman designer Ludovica Malagò, who cofounded Studio Malià with Gaia Rebecchini, demonstrates one graceful way to do so in this recent project. — Francesca Longoni, Architectural Digest, 18 July 2026

Valerian both underestimated the enemy and overestimated Roman military strength. — Robin Wright, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

The first major Roman poet, Ennius, describes a dream in which Homer’s ghost appeared to him and explained that souls transmigrate after bodily death; this poetic spirit would now take up residence in Ennius. — Literary Hub, 17 July 2026

Alma-Tadema, however, also sought to incorporate roses into his paintings with a focus on their significance in the Roman world. — Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 17 July 2026

For instance, many Orthodox Christian or Roman Catholic communities choose to wear their engagement and wedding rings on their right hand. — Boutayna Chokrane, Vogue, 17 July 2026

Anne Hathaway, a Bulgari ambassador, drew from a Roman lexicon already embedded in the house’s identity. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 16 July 2026

There are also Roman-style mosaic bathtubs for an Instagram picture worth a thousand words. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 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