shakespeare

shakespeare — noun

1. William Shakespeare, the English writer of plays such as Romeo and Juliet, Hamle

1.nounB1
Definition

William Shakespeare, the English writer of plays such as Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Macbeth, whose works are still performed and studied around the world.

Example

The students in Joaquín's class are studying a play by Shakespeare this term.

studying a play by Shakespeare

Liang's school put on a performance of Romeo and Juliet last spring.

performance of Romeo and Juliet

Common collocations
  • Shakespeare play
  • Shakespeare's works
  • read Shakespeare
  • study Shakespeare
  • perform Shakespeare
  • Shakespeare character
Synonyms
  • the Bard

    a poetic nickname for Shakespeare; used in literary or admiring contexts

  • the Bard of Avon

    a more formal or poetic epithet referring to his birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon

  • the playwright

    a general descriptive term; less specific than his name

Usage Note

In many contexts, 'Shakespeare' is used alone without a title such as 'Mr.' or 'Dr.' The nickname 'the Bard' is a common literary reference to him.

Common Mistakes

Shakespeare wrote in old English, so it is hard to understand.
Shakespeare wrote in Early Modern English, which still sounds different from the English we speak today.
His language is Early Modern English, not Old English (which was spoken over a thousand years ago).

2. The English poet and dramatist who lived from 1564 to 1616 and is widely regarde

2.nounB1
Definition

The English poet and dramatist who lived from 1564 to 1616 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language.

Example

Shakespeare was born in 1564 in a market town called Stratford-upon-Avon.

was born in [year] in [place]

Historians believe Shakespeare wrote most of his plays between 1590 and 1613.

wrote most of his plays between [years]

Common collocations
  • Shakespeare was born
  • Shakespeare lived
  • Shakespeare died
  • Shakespeare's early years
  • biography of Shakespeare
Synonyms
  • the dramatist

    focuses on his profession as a writer of plays; formal register

  • the poet

    highlights his work as a poet; used in literary contexts

Usage Note

When writing about Shakespeare's life, dates (1564–1616) are commonly included on first mention. Biographies often discuss the gaps in historical records about his private life.

Common Mistakes

Shakespeare was a very famous writer in the 1500s.
Shakespeare was active as a writer from around 1590 until his death in 1616.
His career ended in the early 1600s, so saying 'in the 1500s' alone is misleading.

Word family

  • Shakespearean
    adjectiveB2
  • Shakespearean
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Shakespeare' is the direct name and the most neutral, everyday way to refer to the writer. 'The Bard' is a warm, admiring nickname used especially in literary discussion and criticism — it implies reverence for his craft. 'The Bard of Avon' is more formal and poetic, adding a geographical reference to his birthplace; it appears in scholarly writing or ceremonial contexts. 'The playwright' and 'the dramatist' are generic descriptors that could refer to any writer of plays, so they only work when the context already makes clear who is meant. For example, a teacher might say 'the playwright explores the theme of power,' but in a general conversation, 'I love Shakespeare's sonnets' sounds natural, while 'I love the Bard's sonnets' sounds deliberately literary.

the Bardthe Bard of Avonthe playwrightthe dramatist

Common collocations

Nouns

  • Shakespeare scholar
  • Shakespeare expert
  • Shakespeare festival
  • Shakespeare biography
  • Shakespeare collection

Phrases

  • works of Shakespeare
  • plays by Shakespeare
  • the Complete Works of Shakespeare

Prepositions

  • by Shakespeare
  • of Shakespeare

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The surname Shakespeare comes from Old English 'schakken' (to brandish or shake) and 'spere' (spear), meaning 'one who brandishes a spear.' It was probably first used as a nickname for a soldier or a fighter. By the time of the famous playwright (1564–1616), the name had been used as a family name in England for several centuries. Many different spellings existed before the modern form became standard.