# Cleopatra

/ˌkɫiəˈpætɹə/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cleopatra
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

the last queen of ancient Egypt, known for her intelligence and her relationships with Roman leaders. People often use her name to describe a woman who is very powerful, beautiful, or charming.

For teachers: the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, historically noted for her political alliances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. The lowercase form sometimes describes a woman perceived as possessing great beauty, power, or seductive influence.

## Examples

- Cleopatra was a very famous queen in history.
- The actress spent months researching the life of Cleopatra to prepare for her role in the historical drama.
- While popular culture often focuses on her romantic life, historians emphasize that Cleopatra was a highly educated diplomat who spoke multiple languages and managed a complex economy during a period of Roman expansion.

## Usage notes

- Usually a proper noun referring to the historical figure; when used as a common noun, it is countable.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.