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• Calypso
  Calypso

  noun

  Also Kalypso a sea nymph who detained Odysseus on the island of Ogygia for seven years.
• calypso
  calypso

  noun

  a popular type of satirical, usually topical, West Indian ballad, esp from Trinidad, usually extemporized to a percussive syncopated accompaniment

Calypso

American  

[kuh-lip-soh] / kəˈlɪp soʊ /

noun

• Calypsos
  plural

1. Classical Mythology. Also Kalypso a sea nymph who detained Odysseus on the island of Ogygia for seven years.

2. Also called fairy-slipper.  (lowercase) a terrestrial orchid, Calypso bulbosa, of the Northern Hemisphere, having a single variegated purple, yellow, and white flower.

3. (lowercase) a musical style of West Indian origin, influenced by jazz, usually having topical, often improvised, lyrics.

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verb (used without object)

1. (lowercase) to sing or dance to calypso.

calypso ¹ British  

/ kəˈlɪpsəʊ /

noun

1. a popular type of satirical, usually topical, West Indian ballad, esp from Trinidad, usually extemporized to a percussive syncopated accompaniment

2. a dance done to the rhythm of this song

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Calypso ² British  

/ kəˈlɪpsəʊ /

noun

1. Greek myth (in Homer's Odyssey ) a sea nymph who detained Odysseus on the island of Ogygia for seven years

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calypso ³ British  

/ kəˈlɪpsəʊ /

noun

1. a rare N temperate orchid, Calypso (or Cytherea ) bulbosa, whose flower is pink or white with purple and yellow markings

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• calypsonian
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• Calypsos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of Calypso

The name of the musical style is of obscure origin and perhaps only copies the spelling of Calypso the sea nymph

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Calypso calypso Calypsos

He visited many lands, but mostly dwelt with the nymph Calypso on her island.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026

The clip showed a conversation between Odysseus and Calypso, a nymph who holds the mythical king on her island for several years.

From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2026

Charlize Theron is appropriately enchanting as Calypso, whose charms waylay and confuse Odysseus.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

Theron plays the nymph Calypso, who keeps Odysseus enchanted on her island for seven years.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026

For his part, Zeus said, he would send Hermes to Calypso to tell her that she must start Odysseus on his voyage back.

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

"St. Thomas," which appeared on "Saxophone Colossus" and became his best-known song, incorporated Caribbean calypso that he had heard as a child.

From Barron's ● May 26, 2026

Mr. Cliff entered these contests early and began writing songs that were a mash of ska, rock-steady and calypso, globally popular then thanks to a string of hits by Harry Belafonte.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 24, 2025

Expect an amazing parade showcasing the best of mas dancing, soca, calypso, steel bands and sound systems.

From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2023

She’s currently developing a project loosely based on a famous calypso singer, as a nod to her Trinidad and Tobago heritage.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 24, 2023

There were fireworks, a lobster buffet, and calypso music from the steel-drum band.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen

Ah, these Aspasias, these Circes, these Calypsos, these Cleopatras, with their blue, their gray, their amber eyes!

From Man on the Box by Harold MacGrath

And the Laird of Cockpen either marries the next young lady on his list, or, departing to far lands, discovers that the supply of Calypsos and Ariadnes is practically unlimited.

From The Crooked Stick or Pollies's Probation by Rolf Boldrewood