Apollonian

American  

[ap-uh-loh-nee-uhn] / ˌæp əˈloʊ ni ən /

adjective

1. pertaining to the cult of Apollo.

2. (lowercase) serene, calm, or well-balanced; poised and disciplined.

3. (lowercase) having the properties of or preferring classic beauty.

---

Apollonian British  

/ ˌæpəˈləʊnɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Apollo or the cult of Apollo

2. (sometimes not capital) (in the philosophy of Nietzsche) denoting or relating to the set of static qualities that encompass form, reason, harmony, sobriety, etc

3. (often not capital) harmonious; serene; ordered

---

Etymology

Origin of Apollonian

1655–65; < Greek apollṓni ( os ) of Apollo + -an

---

Compare meaning

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

• Apollonian vs. Dionysian

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Apollonian

But Kennedy is also embarrassing himself by putting out photo and video content meant to prove that he, at age 69, is some kind of Apollonian model of physical perfection.

From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2023

Perhaps more than most of his peers, he seems to have approached even excesses and transgressions with a certain intellectual detachment, taking an Apollonian perspective on an essentially Dionysian form.

From New York Times ● Sep. 15, 2022

He hoped that the “Ring” would revive the cultural paradise of ancient Greece, fusing Apollonian beauty and Dionysian savagery.

From The New Yorker ● Oct. 7, 2019

Mr. Aimard conveyed both the Apollonian breadth and the rippling animation of the movement in his crisp, radiant playing.

From New York Times ● Aug. 5, 2019

To paraphrase Nietzsche, there are two types of Greek: the Apollonian and the Dionysian.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---