noun Uncommon

Zeus

zyoos

Zeus (noun) means In Greek mythology, the king of the gods, ruler of the sky and thunder. Example: “Zeus hurled a thunderbolt down from Mount Olympus.”

noun

In Greek mythology, the king of the gods, ruler of the sky and thunder.

"Zeus hurled a thunderbolt down from Mount Olympus."

"According to myth, Zeus was married to Hera but famous for his many affairs."

How to use Zeus

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe chief god of the ancient Greek pantheon, ruler of Olympus and master of lightning.

Easily confused with

jove → Jupiter → Ares →

Word forms

Zeuses plural

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

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ hurled a thunderbolt down from Mount Olympus.

Etymology

From the Ancient Greek Zeús, the same ancient root that gives Latin "Jove" — both ultimately from an old word for the bright daytime sky.

Origin: Ancient Greek

Synonyms

View more →

thunderer

Rhymes for Zeus

nucleus Perseus Orpheus Proteus Theseus Amadeus Morpheus Odysseus Thaddeus Prometheus

See all rhymes for Zeus →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Zeus” mean?

The word “Zeus” means in Greek mythology, the king of the gods, ruler of the sky and thunder. In plain terms, the chief god of the ancient Greek pantheon, ruler of Olympus and master of lightning.

How do you pronounce “Zeus”?

“Zeus” is pronounced zyoos (/zus/ in IPA).

How do you use “Zeus” in a sentence?

Here is “Zeus” used in a sentence: “Zeus hurled a thunderbolt down from Mount Olympus.”

What part of speech is “Zeus”?

“Zeus” is a noun.

Where does the word “Zeus” come from?

The word “Zeus” comes from Ancient Greek. From the Ancient Greek Zeús, the same ancient root that gives Latin "Jove" — both ultimately from an old word for the bright daytime sky.

Is “Zeus” a common word?

“Zeus” is an uncommon word in modern English.

What is Zeus the god of?

In Greek mythology, Zeus is the king of the gods and ruler of the sky and thunder, making him one of the most powerful deities in the Greek pantheon.

What is the difference between Zeus and Jupiter?

Zeus is the king of the gods in Greek mythology, while Jupiter is his equivalent in Roman mythology; both rule the sky and thunder and hold the top position in their respective pantheons. The two figures are considered counterparts across the two mythological traditions.

Why is Zeus associated with thunder?

Zeus is associated with thunder because, as ruler of the sky, he commands weather phenomena in Greek mythology, with thunder and lightning serving as his signature powers and weapons.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include Zeus:

Words that start with Z