phar·aoh \ˈfe](ˌ)rō, ˈfa(a)], ˈfā] sometimes ]_rēˌō\noun (-s) Usage: often capitalized Etymology: Late Latin Pharaon-, Pharao, from Greek Pharaō, from Hebrew par'ōh, from Egyptian pr-'˒ʾ 1. a.: a ruler of ancient Egypt b.: tyrant < they tell me he's a regular Pharaoh — John Cheever > < that tough old Pharaoh of a captain — Theatre Arts > 2.[translation of French pharaon or Italian faraone]archaic: faro