Olympian

1 of 4

adjective (1)

Olym·​pi·​an ə-ˈlim-pē-ən 

ō-

1

: of or relating to, or inhabiting Mount Olympus in Thessaly

Olympian gods

2

: befitting, characteristic of, or suggestive of the gods conceived as inhabiting Mount Olympus : lofty

Olympian detachment

… his … formula of glib simplicity and Olympian arrogance …

—Richard Pollak

It was all said with an Olympian calm.

—James Clavell

In 1961 Mumford was 66 years old and an Olympian figure in American culture.

—The New York Times Book Review

Olympian

2 of 4

adjective (2)

1

: of or relating to the ancient Greek region of Olympia

2

: of, relating to, or constituting the Olympic Games

Olympian

3 of 4

noun (1)

plural Olympians

1

: a participant in Olympic Games

To be an alltime Olympian, you can't just be 23 and dominate over a four-year span. You have to age, battle time and remain on top.

—S. L. Price

2

: a native or inhabitant of Olympia

Olympian

4 of 4

noun (2)

plural Olympians

1

: one of the ancient Greek deities dwelling on Olympus

… has suggested to some that he was a new god, accepted late into the Greek pantheon of Olympians.

—M. C. Howatson

2

: a being of lofty detachment or superior attainments

Did you know?

The Greek gods lived high atop Mt. Olympus, which allowed them to watch what went on in the human realm below and intervene as they saw fit. They insisted on being properly worshipped by humans, but otherwise tended to treat the affairs of these weak and short-lived creatures almost like a sport. So Olympian describes someone who seems "lofty" and "above it all", as if surveying a scene in which other people appear the size of ants. The Olympic Games were first celebrated in the 8th century B.C., at the religious site called Olympia (far from Mt. Olympus), and Olympian today actually most often refers to Olympic athletes.

Examples of Olympian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Woman 'Wins Halloween' With Olympic Inspired Costume of Raygun By Shannon Power Pop Culture & Entertainment Reporter 0 An Olympian breakdancer who went viral during the recent summer games in Paris has settled a legal action with the producers of a musical about her, triggering online criticism. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024

The shock grew when Hoskins later died of her injuries and police revealed that her husband, former Olympian and world champion cyclist Rohan Dennis, was behind the wheel. —Emily Blackwood, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024

Noun

And those dreams: To be a world champion, an Olympian. —Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 24 Dec. 2024

What's New Sophie Hediger, a former Olympian, died on Monday in an avalanche accident in an Arosa resort in Switzerland, according to the country's ski federation's statement. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Olympian

• Olympian Games

Kids Definition

Olympian

1 of 4 adjective

Olym·​pi·​an ə-ˈlim-pē-ən 

ō-

1

: of or relating to Olympus

2

: relating to or proper for one of the Greek gods of Olympus : lofty

Olympian

2 of 4 adjective

1

: of or relating to the ancient Greek region of Olympia

2

: olympic sense 2

Olympian

3 of 4 noun

: an athlete who competes in the Olympic Games

Olympian

4 of 4 noun

: one of the Greek gods living on Olympus