adj

promethean

Quiz me More like this

Promethean (adj) means relating to Prometheus, the figure from Greek myth who made the first humans out of clay, gave them fire taken from the gods, and was punished for it by being chained to a rock.

adj

Relating to Prometheus, the figure from Greek myth who made the first humans out of clay, gave them fire taken from the gods, and was punished for it by being chained to a rock.

"More than a mere source of Promethean sustenance to thwart the cold and cook one's meat, wood was quite simply mankind's first industrial and manufacturing fuel." — Edwin Black, Power Struggle (2006)

Extremely bold, creative and original, sometimes to the point of being reckless.

Describing a Romantic-era hero who rejects normal moral rules and stands against authority, even while suffering for it.

Relating to the promethea moth, a type of silkmoth.

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like promethean.

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

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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

Etymology

The adjective is derived from Prometheus (“demigod in Greek mythology”) + -an (suffix meaning ‘of or pertaining to’ forming adjectives; and forming agent nouns). Prometheus is a learned borrowing from Latin Promētheus, and from its etymon Ancient Greek Προμηθεύς (Promētheús), from προμηθής (promēthḗs, “having forethought”) (from προ- (pro-, prefix meaning ‘before’) + μᾰνθᾰ́νω (mănthắnō, “to learn; to know, understand”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *men- (“to mind; to think”) + *dʰeh₁- (“to do; to place, put”), in the sense of putting one’s mind to something)) + -εύς (-eús, suffix forming a masculine noun of the person concerned with a thing). The noun is derived from the adjective.

Rhymes for promethean

lean bean wean dean jean Sean mean Kean clean glean ocean Korean

See all rhymes for promethean →

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of promethean?

"promethean" (adj) means relating to Prometheus, the figure from Greek myth who made the first humans out of clay, gave them fire taken from the gods, and was punished for it by being chained to a rock.

What are the different meanings of promethean?

"promethean" has 3 main meanings: 1. Relating to Prometheus, the figure from Greek myth who made the first humans out of clay, gave them fire taken from the gods, and was punished for it by being chained to a rock; 2. Extremely bold, creative and original, sometimes to the point of being reckless; 3. Describing a Romantic-era hero who rejects normal moral rules and stands against authority, even while suffering for it.