epic

American  

[ep-ik] / ˈɛp ɪk /

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to a long poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of great achievements or events is narrated in elevated style.

   Homer's Iliad is an epic poem.

2. resembling or suggesting such poetry.

   an epic novel on the founding of the country.

3. heroic; majestic; impressively great.

   the epic events of the war.

4. of unusually great size or extent.

   a crime wave of epic proportions.

5. Slang. very impressive; spectacular; awesome.

   Their burgers and fries are epic!

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adverb

1. Slang. very; extremely.

   That's an epic cool video!

noun

1. an epic poem.

2. epic poetry.

3. any composition resembling an epic.

4. something worthy to form the subject of an epic.

   The defense of the Alamo is an American epic.

5. Also called Old Ionic.  Epic. the Greek dialect represented in the Iliad and the Odyssey, apparently Aeolic modified by Ionic.

epic British  

/ ˈɛpɪk /

noun

1. a long narrative poem recounting in elevated style the deeds of a legendary hero, esp one originating in oral folk tradition

2. the genre of epic poetry

3. any work of literature, film, etc, having heroic deeds for its subject matter or having other qualities associated with the epic

   a Hollywood epic

4. an episode in the lives of men in which heroic deeds are performed or attempted

   the epic of Scott's expedition to the South Pole

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adjective

1. denoting, relating to, or characteristic of an epic or epics

2. of heroic or impressive proportions

   an epic voyage

epic Cultural  

1. A long narrative poem written in elevated style, in which heroes of great historical or legendary importance perform valorous deeds. The setting is vast in scope, covering great nations, the world, or the universe, and the action is important to the history of a nation or people. The Iliad, the Odyssey, and the Aeneid are some great epics from world literature, and two great epics in English are Beowulf and Paradise Lost.

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Discover More

Figuratively, any task of great magnitude may be called “epic,” as in an “epic feat” or an “epic undertaking.”

Other Word Forms

• epically adverb
• epiclike adjective
• nonepic adjective
• nonepical adjective
• semiepic adjective
• semiepical adjective
• superepic adjective
• unepic adjective

Etymology

Origin of epic

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin epicus, from Greek epikós; see epos, -ic

Explanation

An epic is a long poem or other work of art celebrating heroic feats. After you sail around the world for seven years, fighting corruption and planting vegetable gardens, some poet will surely write the epic of your adventures. Epic comes from the Greek word for song, because Greek poets like Homer sang their poems. We tend to use epic for long, ambitious novels or movies, especially if they involve a long journey. Epic can be used as an adjective to describe something historically important, lasting and complex. Perhaps your great-grandfather was a soldier in the epic struggle of World War One. Your three day, sleepless card poker game could be described as epic.

Example Sentences

And she still holds an epic grudge, even though she’s become the principal of the same school.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

“Careful restorations have maintained the historical architecture, while elevating the property to a level of epic glamour with all the modern luxuries of today,” adds the listing.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

Fifteen years ago, in an epic unraveling, McIlroy saw a four-shot Sunday lead evaporate with a collapse at Amen Corner — triple bogey, bogey, double bogey on holes 11, 12 and 13.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

Last year, England racked up four predictably one-sided wins, scoring 208 points and conceding just 27, before France gave them an almighty scare in an epic title decider.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

“I’m just saying. You guys have this epic beginning.”

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Related Words

• legend
• narrative
• tale