Pharaoh

[ fair-oh, far-oh, fey-roh ]

noun

1. a title of an ancient Egyptian king.
2. (lowercase) any person who uses power or authority to oppress others; tyrant.

Pharaoh

/ ˈfɛərəʊ; fɛəˈrɒnɪk /

noun

1. the title of the ancient Egyptian kings

pharaoh

1. The title of the kings of ancient Egypt (see also Egypt ). In the story of Joseph and his brothers , a pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of his entire kingdom. In the Book of Exodus , a pharaoh repeatedly refuses the request of Moses to let the Israelites leave the country and does not give in until after the worst of the ten plagues of Egypt .

Derived Forms

• Pharaonic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pharaoh¹

before 900; Middle English Pharao, Old English Pharaon < Latin pharaō < Greek pharaṓ (stem pharaōn- ) < Hebrew phārʿōh < Egyptian pr house + ʿʾ great; originally a designation for the palace, but used to refer to the king from the time of Akhenaton (14th cent. b.c.); -h restored from Hebrew

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pharaoh¹

Old English Pharaon, via Latin, Greek, and Hebrew ultimately from Egyptian pr-`o great house

Example Sentences

“It’s the Pharaoh Syndrome. You are working for the top of the pyramid and it will eventually come back to you.”

From Los Angeles Times

Gilbert had just left “a talk about Egypt where they said they were beaming people into space when they die and that’s why the Pharaohs are in pyramids,” he laughed.

From Los Angeles Times

Saratoga has seen upsets since opening before the end of the Civil War, including Upset defeating decorated Man o’ War and Triple Crown winner American Pharaoh slipping up against Keen Ice in the Travers.

From Seattle Times

Harris is the second external free agent to reach agreement with the Seahawks, joining tight end Pharaoh Brown.

From Seattle Times

Ivory Coast become the first hosts to reach an Afcon final since Egypt in 2006 - with the Pharaohs also the most recent side to lift the trophy on home soil that year.

From BBC

Related Words

• emperor
• king
• monarch
• ruler