- of or relating to Sparta or its citizens
- (sometimes not capital) very strict or austere: a Spartan upbringing
- (sometimes not capital) possessing courage and resolve
- a citizen of Sparta
- (sometimes not capital) a disciplined or brave person
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
spar•tan /ˈspɑrtən/USA pronunciation
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- disciplined and severe;
simple;
frugal:a spartan life; a spartan bedroom with nothing but an old bed.
Spar•tan
(spär′tn),USA pronunciation adj.
n.
Spar′tan•ism, n.
Spar′tan•ly, Spar•tan′i•cal•ly, adv.
- Place Namesof or pertaining to Sparta or its people.
- suggestive of the ancient Spartans;
sternly disciplined and rigorously simple, frugal, or austere. - brave;
undaunted.
n.
- Place Namesa native or inhabitant of Sparta.
- a person of Spartan characteristics.
- Doric Greek Spártā) + -ānus -an
- Latin Spartānus, equivalent. to Spart(a) Sparta (
- late Middle English 1375–1425
Spar′tan•ly, Spar•tan′i•cal•ly, adv.
- 2. See austere.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
Spartan /ˈspɑːtən/ adj
'spartan' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Aegospotami
- ephor
- Lacedaemonian
- laconic
- Leuctra
- Lycurgus
- Lysander
- Mamet
- Tyndareus
- austere
- Clearchus
- laconicum
- non-Spartan
- Tanagra
- Spartiate