Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

spartan

/ˈspɑɹtən/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.37 in modern English

Syllables: spar-tan
IPA: /ˈspɑɹtən/

9

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Austere, frugal, characterized by self-denial.

adj

Resolute in the face of danger or adversity.

adj

Lacking in decoration and luxury.

noun

A citizen of Sparta; a native or inhabitant of Sparta.

noun

A red apple cultivar from British Columbia, Canada.

adj

Of or relating to Sparta or its citizens.

adj

Alternative letter-case form of spartan.

Example Sentences

"I went on the retreat to the monastery, thinking I would be sleeping in a spartan cell, only to discover a simple but comfortable bedroom."
"The engine was Class "3" 2-6-2 tank No. 82013, with Driver Sampson (Exmouth), and its roomy draught-free cab was a striking contrast to the spartan comfort offered on the Drummond tank."
"Among its findings, the report says: "In recent years we have seen more stations transformed from run-down Victorian hulks, or spartan bus-sheltered platforms, into places that people can take pride in, feel comfortable in using, and which are fulfilling more of their wider potential."
"The spartan legionaries vowed to fight to the death."
"After ten years as a fashion designer in the rough-and-tumble Garment District, Eloise left New York for the spartan but serene life of a farmer's wife."
"[I]t was furnished with the spartan simplicity which characterizes womanless quarters."

Etymology

By analogy with the ancient Spartans, who famously possessed these qualities.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: Spartan, Spartānus

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈspɑɹtən/

Inflected Forms

more spartan (comparative) most spartan (superlative) Spartans (plural)

Derived Forms

spartanism spartanly spartanness Spartanburg Spartanhood Spartanize Spartanlike Sparty

Synonyms

plain simple austere bare chaste inornate modest quiet severe spartan unadorned unembellished

Rhymes With

martin barton carton parton tartan marten marton smarten garton darton mcmartin harten

Questions

How do you pronounce spartan?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈspɑɹtən/.
What does spartan mean?: Austere, frugal, characterized by self-denial.
Where does spartan come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce spartan

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “spartan”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈspɑɹtən/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “spartan”.
Repeat and practice — Say “spartan” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.