Esperanto

noun Es·pe·ran·to \ˌes-pə-ˈrän-(ˌ)tō, -ˈran-(ˌ)tō\

Definition of ESPERANTO

: an artificial international language based as far as possible on words common to the chief European languages

— Es·pe·ran·tist \-ˈrän-tist, -ˈran-\ noun or adjective

Dr. Esperanto, pseudonym of L. L. Zamenhof †1917 Polish oculist, its inventor

First Known Use: 1892

Next Word in the Dictionary: espialPrevious Word in the Dictionary: esperanceAll Words Near: Esperanto

What made you want to look up Esperanto? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears