Penelope

American  

[puh-nel-uh-pee] / pəˈnɛl ə pi /

noun

1. Classical Mythology. the wife of Odysseus, who remained faithful to him during his long absence at Troy.

2. a faithful wife.

3. a female given name: from a Greek word meaning “weaver.”

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Penelope British  

/ pəˈnɛləpɪ /

noun

1. Greek myth the wife of Odysseus, who remained true to him during his long absence despite the importunities of many suitors

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Penelope Cultural  

1. The wife of Odysseus in classical mythology. Penelope remained true to her husband for the ten years he spent fighting in the Trojan War (see also Trojan War) and for the ten years it took him to return from Troy, even though she was harassed by men who wanted to marry her. She promised to choose a suitor after she had finished weaving a shroud for her father-in-law, but every night she unraveled what she had woven during the day. After three years, her trick was discovered, but she still managed to put her suitors off until Odysseus returned and killed them.

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Penelope is an image of fidelity and devotion.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Penelope

We can imagine that his wife, Penelope, would have asked him about that particular time.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026

Anne Hathaway and Holland co-star as his wife Penelope and son Telemachus.

From Barron's ● Aug. 2, 2026

Sarah Cliff told BBC Radio Surrey Dame Penelope had been part of her childhood.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

In Homer’s poem, the goddess Calypso rescues Odysseus from a shipwreck and keeps him on her island for seven years, even as he longs for Penelope and Ithaca.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

Penelope stepped forward till she was face-to-face with the frightening beast.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood