Beowulf

American  

[bey-uh-woolf] / ˈbeɪ əˌwʊlf /

noun

1. (italics) an English alliterative epic poem, probably written in the early 8th century a.d.

2. the hero of this poem.

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Beowulf British  

/ ˈbeɪəˌwʊlf /

noun

1. an anonymous Old English epic poem in alliterative verse, believed to have been composed in the 8th century _a.d

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Beowulf Cultural  

1. An epic in Old English, estimated as dating from as early as the eighth century; the earliest long work of literature in English. The critical events are the slaying of the monster Grendel and Grendel's mother by the hero Beowulf and Beowulf's battle with a dragon, in which he is mortally wounded.

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Example Sentences

Scenic designer Beowulf Boritt’s quaint tearoom seems both real and hallucinatory, with a melancholy rain pouring down in the background.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

The Atlantic story and other accounts of Kennedy make it clear he views himself as the lone hero of a great battle, a Beowulf intending to slay a dragon of dogma and lies.

From Salon • Nov. 29, 2025

Fascinated by folklore, he also published an award-winning translation of Beowulf.

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2025

What do Beowulf, Batman and Barbie all have in common?

From Scientific American • Oct. 30, 2023

“If we ask Old Timothy to explain, he will do this,” Beowulf grunted enigmatically, and walked away, in a fine imitation of Old Timothy’s rolling, bowlegged gait.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood