romeo

romeo — noun

1. a man who frequently pursues and seduces different women, moving from one romant

1.nounB2
Definition

a man who frequently pursues and seduces different women, moving from one romantic partner to the next

Example

Every office has a charming romeo who dates colleagues and then moves on.

collocation: charming romeo

Wren's friends called him a romeo because he never stayed with anyone for long.

Common collocations
  • charming romeo
  • play the romeo
  • village romeo
  • old romeo
Synonyms
  • womanizer

    More negative — suggests emotional harm or casual disregard for partners

  • playboy

    Emphasizes a luxurious lifestyle and wealth, not just romantic activity

  • Casanova

    More flattering; implies sophisticated charm and seduction skill

  • ladies' man

    Softer, focusing on easy social charm rather than sexual pursuit

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be + a + romeo

play + the + romeo

adjective + romeo

Usage Note

Derived from Shakespeare's tragic hero, but the modern use carries a mildly mocking or disapproving tone and focuses on casual romantic pursuit rather than genuine love.

Common Mistakes

He is a real Rome.
He is a real romeo.
The word keeps the final 'o'; dropping it changes the meaning completely.
He romeo'd around the office.
He acted like a romeo around the office.
'Romeo' is a noun, not a verb.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All five terms describe men with many romantic or sexual partners, but their connotations differ sharply. A romeo emphasizes charm and romantic pursuit, sometimes in a playful or unserious way. A womanizer carries stronger disapproval, suggesting he causes emotional harm along the way. A playboy focuses on wealth, luxury, and a carefree lifestyle rather than romantic skill. Casanova, from the real 18th-century Italian adventurer, implies refined seduction and sophistication. A philanderer is the most formal and disapproving — often used in news reports or legal contexts. A ladies' man is the warmest of the set, highlighting easy social charm without necessarily implying many sexual partners. For example: 'Calling him a romeo might sound affectionate; calling him a womanizer would be an insult.'

womanizerplayboy ↗Casanovaphilandererladies' man ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • act like a romeo
  • be a romeo

Prepositions

  • known as a romeo
  • described as a romeo

Etymology

ItalianEnglish

The word comes from Romeo Montague, the tragic young lover in William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet (about 1595). By the 1700s, English speakers had started using 'Romeo' as a nickname for any passionate or romantic lover. The modern sense — a charming man who casually pursues many women — emerged in the 20th century and is now the most common use of the word outside the play.