# ronin

/ˈɹoʊnɪn/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ronin
Updated: 2026-05-27

## Definition

a Japanese samurai who no longer has a master or a lord to serve. In modern stories, it often describes a person who is independent and has no fixed home.

For teachers: a masterless samurai in feudal Japan, typically due to the death of their lord or the loss of their status. In contemporary contexts, it often refers to a person who is independent, unaffiliated, or lacks a fixed social structure.

## Examples

- The movie tells the story of a ronin searching for a new purpose.
- In many classic Japanese films, the ronin serves as a moral center, often choosing to help the poor despite having no home or family.
- The archetype of the ronin has been adapted into countless modern narratives, representing the existential journey of a person who must find meaning outside of traditional social hierarchies and institutional loyalty.

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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.