# gladiator

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɡlædiˌeɪtɚ/ · frequency rank #22,687

## Definitions
1. A person (professional or slave) who entertained the public by engaging in mortal combat with another, or with a wild animal.
2. A disputant in a public controversy or debate.
3. A professional boxer.
4. Synonym of heelwalker (“Any of the order Mantophasmatodea of carnivorous, wingless insects that superficially resemble a cross between praying mantises and phasmids.”).

## Etymology
From Latin gladiātor, from gladius (“sword”). See also English gladius.

## Common misspellings (13)
`galdiator`, `ggladiator`, `gladaitor`, `gladdiator`, `gladiaotr`, `gladiatorr`, `gladiatro`, `gladiattor`, `gladitaor`, `glaidator`, `gldaiator`, `glladiator`, `lgadiator`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/gladiator