adj
Uncommon
Olympian
uh-LIHM-pih-uhn
Olympian (adj) means Godlike, majestic, or far above ordinary human concerns — originally describing the gods said to live on Mount Olympus. Example: “He addressed the crowd with an almost olympian calm.”
adj
1
Godlike, majestic, or far above ordinary human concerns — originally describing the gods said to live on Mount Olympus.
"He addressed the crowd with an almost olympian calm."
"Her olympian indifference to criticism unsettled her rivals."
noun
1
An athlete who has competed in the Olympic Games.
"Three olympians from the swim team visited the school."
"She trained for a decade before becoming an olympian."
2
One of the twelve principal gods of Greek mythology, or (capitalized, with "the") Zeus specifically.
"Zeus ruled as the greatest of the Olympians."
How to use Olympian
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who competed in the Olympics, or (as an adjective) something god-like and above ordinary concerns.
Common pairings
a former olympian
olympian calm
olympian heights
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Olympian.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- Olympians
- Comparative
- more Olympian
- Superlative
- most Olympian
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He addressed the crowd with an almost _____ calm.
Etymology
From Latin Olympius, ultimately from Greek Olympos, "Mount Olympus."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for Olympian
See all rhymes for Olympian →Frequently asked questions
What does “Olympian” mean?
The word “Olympian” means godlike, majestic, or far above ordinary human concerns — originally describing the gods said to live on Mount Olympus. In plain terms, someone who competed in the Olympics, or (as an adjective) something god-like and above ordinary concerns.
How do you pronounce “Olympian”?
“Olympian” is pronounced uh-LIHM-pih-uhn (/əˈlɪm.pi.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Olympian” in a sentence?
Here is “Olympian” used in a sentence: “He addressed the crowd with an almost olympian calm.”
What part of speech is “Olympian”?
Depending on how it is used, “Olympian” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “Olympian” come from?
The word “Olympian” comes from Latin. From Latin Olympius, ultimately from Greek Olympos, "Mount Olympus.".
Is “Olympian” a common word?
“Olympian” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Olympian” have?
“Olympian” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: godlike, majestic, or far above ordinary human concerns — originally describing the gods said to live on Mount Olympus.
