Charybdis

American  

[kuh-rib-dis] / kəˈrɪb dɪs /

noun

1. Modern Name Garofalo, Galofalo. a whirlpool in the Strait of Messina off the NE coast of Sicily.

2. Classical Mythology. a daughter of Gaia and Poseidon, a monster mentioned in Homer and later identified with the whirlpool Charybdis.

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Charybdis British  

/ kəˈrɪbdɪs /

noun

1. a ship-devouring monster in classical mythology, identified with a whirlpool off the north coast of Sicily, lying opposite Scylla on the Italian coast Compare Scylla

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Other Word Forms

• Charybdian
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of Charybdis

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English Karibdous, Karybdys, from Latin Charybdis, from Greek Chárybdis; further origin uncertain

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Charybdis

Without any winking irony or condescension to our ancient forebears in storytelling, the writer-director aims to rekindle our fascination with these oft-told tales: the Trojan Horse, the Sirens’ song, Scylla and Charybdis.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

The 100-year-old saw combat with HMS Charybdis in the Mediterranean on the Malta Convoys in 1942 and was involved in the invasion of Sicily in the summer of 1943.

From BBC ● Feb. 23, 2025

He is of course, referring to Homer's epic poem that follows the travels of Odysseus and his crew, who faced perils such a the monster Scylla and giant whirlpool Charybdis.

From Salon ● Nov. 13, 2024

Charybdis, a mythical female sea monster, is often depicted as a bottomless sucking whirlpool, but there’s power in accepting your hunger, whether it’s for food or love or armies crossing the sea in boats.

From Slate ● Oct. 28, 2024

The third hit one of Charybdis s retaining bands and shot back at us, snapping the Ares flag off its pole.

From "The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan

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