noun

Orpheus

AWR-fee-uhs

Orpheus (noun) means a legendary Greek musician whose songs were said to charm even rocks and rivers, famous for trying and failing to bring his wife back from the dead. Example: “The opera retells the myth of Orpheus descending into the underworld.”

noun

A legendary Greek musician whose songs were said to charm even rocks and rivers, famous for trying and failing to bring his wife back from the dead.

"The opera retells the myth of Orpheus descending into the underworld."

How to use Orpheus

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA mythical musician whose story is often invoked as a symbol of art's power and the tragedy of loss.

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “Orpheus” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The opera retells the myth of _____ descending into the underworld.

Etymology

From Greek Orpheus, a name of uncertain origin possibly related to orphanós, "orphan."

Origin: Greek

Rhymes for Orpheus

Zeus nucleus Perseus Proteus Theseus Amadeus Morpheus Odysseus Thaddeus Prometheus

See all rhymes for Orpheus →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Orpheus” mean?

The word “Orpheus” means a legendary Greek musician whose songs were said to charm even rocks and rivers, famous for trying and failing to bring his wife back from the dead. In plain terms, a mythical musician whose story is often invoked as a symbol of art's power and the tragedy of loss.

How do you pronounce “Orpheus”?

“Orpheus” is pronounced AWR-fee-uhs (/ˈɔɹ.fi.əs/ in IPA).

How do you use “Orpheus” in a sentence?

Here is “Orpheus” used in a sentence: “The opera retells the myth of Orpheus descending into the underworld.”

What part of speech is “Orpheus”?

“Orpheus” is a noun.

Where does the word “Orpheus” come from?

The word “Orpheus” comes from Greek. From Greek Orpheus, a name of uncertain origin possibly related to orphanós, "orphan.".