Word
nero
Phoneticsnero
/ˈnɪɹoʊ/
Definitions
01Roman Emperor
n. The Roman Emperor who ruled from 54 to 68 AD, often remembered for being very cruel.
n. The fifth Roman emperor and the final ruler of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, notorious in historiography for his tyranny and extravagance.
“Historians often discuss whether Nero really played music while Rome burned.”
“The reign of Nero is frequently cited as a turning point in the stability of the early Roman Empire due to his erratic governance.”
02a cruel tyrant
n. A person who is a very cruel and wicked leader.
n. A figurative use denoting any cruel, oppressive, or depraved tyrant.
“The local people described the dictator as a modern Nero.”
“The editorial compared the governor to a Nero, suggesting his vanity was leading the city toward inevitable ruin.”
Literary · Formal
Usage
Usually used with an indefinite article ('a Nero') or as a comparative noun.