Odyssey
/ˈɑː.dɪ.si/noun
A long, adventurous journey or quest.
Did you know?The word comes from Odysseus, whose name may be linked to a Greek verb meaning “to hate” or “to be angry with,” giving his epic journey a name shadowed by divine hostility.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
GRK
Odysseia
“The epic poem about Odysseus's long return home”
Ancient Greek
GRK
Odysseus
“The hero’s name, later associated with the journey itself”
Latin
LAT
Odyssea
“The Latin form of the Greek epic title”
Middle English
EN
odysse
“A poetic or literary reference to the adventures of Odysseus”
18th Century
EN
odyssey
“A long wandering or adventurous journey”
Modern English
EN
odyssey
“A long, eventful journey or series of experiences”