Waterloo

/ˌwɔːtəˈluː/ name, noun

name, noun ·Common ·High school level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: Often in the term meet one's Waterloo: a notable and decisive defeat following an encounter with a powerful opponent or a problem that is too difficult.
  • Grammar: waterloo is listed as name, noun.
  • Nearest alternatives: battle, battle of waterloo, beating, collapse.
  • Useful contrasts: Allied victory, French victory, Napoleon victory.
  • Usage evidence: Napoleon's army lost the battle of Waterloo in 1815.

How to use "waterloo"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "waterloo" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "waterloo" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "waterloo" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "waterloo" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "waterloo" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "battle" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "waterloo", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Often in the term meet one's Waterloo: a notable and decisive defeat following an encounter with a powerful opponent or a problem that is too difficult.

    "He flung his dime at a newsboy, got his Express, propped his back against the truck, and was at once rapt in the account of his Waterloo as expanded by the ingenious press."

  2. 2
    a final crushing defeat wordnet
Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A village in Walloon Brabant, Belgium; the site of a major military battle in 1815.
  2. 2
    A battle fought at Waterloo, Belgium on June 18, 1815, resulting in the epic, final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte.
  3. 3
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A place in Canada:; A rural community of Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia.
  4. 4
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A place in Canada:; A regional municipality and city in Ontario, Canada.
  5. 5
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A place in Canada:; A city in La Haute-Yamaska regional county municipality, Estrie, Quebec.
Show 37 more definitions
  1. 6
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United States:; A census-designated place in San Joaquin County, California.
  2. 7
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United States:; A city, the county seat of Monroe County, Illinois.
  3. 8
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United States:; A town in Grant Township and Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, Indiana.
  4. 9
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United States:; A township and unincorporated community therein, in Fayette County, Indiana.
  5. 10
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in White River Township, Johnson County, Indiana.
  6. 11
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United States:; A city, the county seat of Black Hawk County, Iowa.
  7. 12
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United States:; A village and town, the county seat of Seneca County, New York.
  8. 13
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United States:; A town in Grant County, Wisconsin.
  9. 14
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United States:; A town and city therein, in Jefferson County, Wisconsin.
  10. 15
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United States:; A number of other townships in the United States, listed under Waterloo Township.
  11. 16
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; A district and large railway terminus in central London, England, in the borough of Lambeth (OS grid ref TQ3180).
  12. 17
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; A hamlet in Blisland parish, Cornwall, England (OS grid ref SX1072).
  13. 18
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; A village in Pilsley parish, North East Derbyshire district, Derbyshire, England (OS grid ref SK4163).
  14. 19
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; A northern suburb of Poole, Dorset, England (OS grid ref SZ0094).
  15. 20
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; A northern suburb of Ashton-under-Lyne, Metropolitan Borough of Tameside, Greater Manchester, England (OS grid ref SD9300).
  16. 21
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; Former name of Waterlooville, Hampshire, although Waterloo is still the name of a council ward in Waterlooville for Havant borough.
  17. 22
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; A small suburb in south-west Blackburn, Blackburn with Darwen district, Lancashire, England (OS grid ref SD6625).
  18. 23
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; A suburb of Crosby, Sefton borough, Merseyside, England (OS grid ref SJ3198).
  19. 24
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; A small village in Hainford parish, Broadland district, Norfolk, England (OS grid ref TG2219).
  20. 25
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; A hamlet in Gillingham parish, South Norfolk district, Norfolk (OS grid ref TM4293).
  21. 26
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; A small village in Scole parish, South Norfolk district, Norfolk (OS grid ref TM1479).
  22. 27
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; A hamlet in Whixall parish, Shropshire, England (OS grid ref SJ4933).
  23. 28
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; An eastern suburb of Huddersfield, Kirklees borough, West Yorkshire, England (OS grid ref SE1716).
  24. 29
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; A settlement near Broadford, Isle of Skye, Highland council area, Scotland (OS grid ref NG6623).
  25. 30
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; A small suburb on the eastern outskirts of Wishaw, North Lanarkshire council area, Scotland (OS grid ref NS8054).
  26. 31
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; A hamlet north-west of Bankfoot, Perth and Kinross council area, Scotland (OS grid ref NO0636).
  27. 32
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; A hamlet in Rudry community, Caerphilly borough, Wales (OS grid ref ST1988).
  28. 33
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A number of places in the United Kingdom:; A suburb of Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire, Wales (OS grid ref SM9703).
  29. 34
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A city in the Western Area of Sierra Leone.
  30. 35
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A place in Australia:; An inner southern suburb of Sydney, New South Wales.
  31. 36
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A place in Australia:; A rural locality in the Bundaberg Region, Queensland.
  32. 37
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A place in Australia:; A settlement in Clare and Gilbert Valleys council area, South Australia.
  33. 38
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A place in Australia:; A locality in Huon Valley council area, southern Tasmania, Australia.
  34. 39
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A place in Australia:; A locality in Pyrenees Shire, Victoria.
  35. 40
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A place in Australia:; A small town in the Shire of Dardanup, Western Australia.
  36. 41
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A suburb of Lower Hutt, Wellington region, New Zealand.
  37. 42
    The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.; A barangay of Matalom, Leyte, Philippines.

Synonyms

All synonyms
battlebattle of waterloobeatingcollapseconqueringconquest

Antonyms

Allied victoryFrench victoryNapoleon victorysuccess

Example

"Napoleon's army lost the battle of Waterloo in 1815."

Common questions

What does "waterloo" mean?

Often in the term meet one's Waterloo: a notable and decisive defeat following an encounter with a powerful opponent or a problem that is too difficult.

What is a synonym for "waterloo"?

Common synonyms include: battle, battle of waterloo, beating, collapse, conquering, conquest.

How do you use "waterloo" in a sentence?

Napoleon's army lost the battle of Waterloo in 1815.

How do you pronounce "waterloo"?

Pronounced /ˌwɔːtəˈluː/.

Etymology

From Middle Dutch, composed of water (“water”) + loo (“sacred wood, forest”). More at water, lea. cf. German Loh. Most places in English-speaking countries are named for the battle.

More for "waterloo"

Synonyms

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