noun
Common
saga
SAH-guh
Saga (noun) means a long traditional story, originally an Old Norse tale of family history, heroism, or legend. Example: “The professor lectured on medieval Icelandic sagas.”
noun
1
A long traditional story, originally an Old Norse tale of family history, heroism, or legend.
"The professor lectured on medieval Icelandic sagas."
"The old saga tells how a farmer's family settled in a distant land."
"Students read a famous saga about a warrior and his feuding clan."
2
Any long, eventful story, especially one told in installments.
"Their divorce turned into a years-long legal saga."
"The show has become a beloved family saga spanning three generations."
"Getting the road repaired became a long saga involving the council and three different builders."
How to use saga
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA long story or drawn-out series of events, often dramatic or eventful.
Common pairings
a family saga
an epic saga
the saga continues
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Word forms
- Plural
- sagas
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The professor lectured on medieval Icelandic _____.
Etymology
From Old Norse saga ("story, tale"), related to Old English sagu — both trace back to a root meaning "to say."
Related words
Rhymes for saga
See all rhymes for saga →Frequently asked questions
What does “saga” mean?
The word “saga” means a long traditional story, originally an Old Norse tale of family history, heroism, or legend. In plain terms, a long story or drawn-out series of events, often dramatic or eventful.
How do you pronounce “saga”?
“Saga” is pronounced SAH-guh (/ˈsɑɡə/ in IPA).
How do you use “saga” in a sentence?
Here is “saga” used in a sentence: “The professor lectured on medieval Icelandic sagas.”
What part of speech is “saga”?
“Saga” is a noun.
Where does the word “saga” come from?
The word “saga” comes from Old English. From Old Norse saga ("story, tale"), related to Old English sagu — both trace back to a root meaning "to say.".
Is “saga” a common word?
“Saga” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “saga” have?
“Saga” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long traditional story, originally an Old Norse tale of family history, heroism, or legend.
What is the difference between a "saga" and an "epic"?
A saga began as an Old Norse prose tale of family history, heroism, or legend, and now means any long, eventful story. An epic is typically a long narrative poem celebrating heroic deeds. Sagas are usually prose; epics are traditionally verse.
What is the difference between a "saga" and a "series"?
A saga is a single long, eventful story, often told in installments and following characters or a family over time. A series is a set of related but separate works or episodes. A saga can be told across a series, but the saga is the overarching story.
What words commonly go with "saga"?
Common pairings include "family saga," "epic saga," "ongoing saga," and "Norse saga." Each points to a long, eventful narrative, whether a traditional tale or a modern run of events.
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