Odin

American  

[oh-din] / ˈoʊ dɪn /

noun

Scandinavian Mythology.

1. the ruler of the Aesir and god of war, poetry, knowledge, and wisdom; Wotan: the chief god.

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Odin British  

/ ˈəʊdɪn, ˈəʊðɪn /

noun

1. Germanic counterpart: Wotan.   Woden.  Norse myth the supreme creator god; the divinity of wisdom, culture, war, and the dead

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Odin Cultural  

1. In Norse mythology, the solemn ruler of the gods. He was god of wisdom, poetry, farming, and war.

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Discover More

Wednesday is named after Odin, using a form of his name that begins with W.

Other Word Forms

• Odinian adjective
• Odinic adjective
• Odinism noun
• Odinist noun
• Odinitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Odin

From Old Norse Ōthinn; cognate with Old English Wōden, Old Saxon Woden, Old High German Wuotan; Woden

Compare meaning

How does odin compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Odin vs. Fenrir

Example Sentences

But she responds to its benefits, especially when entrusted with the care of Odin, a gorgeous, lovable canine with an expressive howl.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 1, 2025

Experts associate the design with the god Odin, whose roles in Norse mythology included ferrying the dead to the afterlife.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2025

It is, of course, perfectly fine for people to be Christians, just as it's fine if people identify as Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Wiccan or a worshipper of Odin.

From Salon • Dec. 13, 2023

The task become too great, though, when substitute Odin Thiago Holm crashed wildly into a tackle and earned a straight red.

From BBC • Sep. 19, 2023

When his mother, Frigga, the wife of Odin, heard this she determined to protect him from the least chance of danger.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton