gladiātor
masculine
The English phrase "gladiator" is translated into Latin as gladiātor. Wiktionary also lists gladiātrīx.
Meaning: (in ancient Rome) a person (professional or slave) who entertained the public by engaging in mortal combat with another, or with a wild animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | Note |
|---|---|
| gladiātor | masculine |
| gladiātrīx | feminine |
In ancient Rome, a gladiātor refers to a person, often a professional or a slave, who provided public entertainment by fighting in mortal combat against another person or a wild animal.
What does it mean word for word?
The word gladiātor is derived from gladius, meaning "sword", so it literally means "one who wields a sword".
Which one should you use?
While gladiātor is the masculine form, gladiātrīx is the specific feminine form used for a female gladiator.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate possession or a relationship to a group of gladiators, use the genitive plural form gladiātorum.
Did you know?
- In Roman medical folklore, the blood of a fallen gladiātor was thought to be a cure for epilepsy. People would sometimes rush into the arena to drink the blood of a dying fighter.
- A gladiātor who won enough battles could be awarded a rudis, a wooden sword that symbolized their permanent freedom from the arena.
- The Latin word for the arena where a gladiātor fought actually means 'sand'. This is because sand was used as a practical tool to soak up the blood of the combatants.
Examples in context
- Gladiātor in arenam intrat.The gladiator enters the arena.
- Hic gladiātor fortis est.This gladiator is brave.
- Gladiātor cum leō pugnat.The gladiator fights with a lion.
Example conversation
Marcus and Julia are watching a public combat in Rome.
- MarcusVidesne gladiātorem novum?Do you see the new gladiator?
- JuliaIta, gladiātor magnus videtur.Yes, the gladiator looks large.
- MarcusSpēs est eum vincere.I hope he wins.
- JuliaEum spectāmus cum metu.We watch him with fear.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gladiator” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
