epilogue

Rarely ep·i·log

[ep-uh-lawg, -log]

noun

1. a usually short section appended to the conclusion of a book or film.

   The novel ends rather grimly, but the epilogue reveals that most of the characters go on to find fulfillment.

2. a later event that illuminates or reinforces the significance of an earlier set of events.

   The sad life of Tasso, the last great poet of the Italian Renaissance, was a fitting epilogue to the age, whose genius also declined into decadence.

3. a speech, usually in verse, delivered by one of the actors after the conclusion of a play.

4. the actor who delivers a play’s epilogue.

epilogue

/ ɪˈpɪlədʒɪst, ˈɛpɪˌlɒɡ /

noun

1. 1. a speech, usually in verse, addressed to the audience by an actor at the end of a play

   2. the actor speaking this

2. a short postscript to any literary work, such as a brief description of the fates of the characters in a novel

3. (esp formerly) the concluding programme of the day on a radio or television station, often having a religious content

Other Word Forms

• epilogist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of epilogue¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English epiloge, from Latin epilogus, from Greek epílogos “conclusion of a speech,” equivalent to epi- epi- + lógos “word”

Word History and Origins

Origin of epilogue¹

C15: from Latin epilogus, from Greek epilogos, from logos word, speech

Example Sentences

The wedding, an ultimate happy ending for the couple after their tumultuous three-season journey of first love and heartbreak, was originally revealed in the epilogue of Han’s third “Summer” novel, “We’ll Always Have Summer.”

From Los Angeles Times

The visit represents a peaceful epilogue to an eventful nesting season marked by both sorrow and joy.

From Los Angeles Times

And look, maybe I’m schmaltzy, but I did sort of love the last line she tacked on in her epilogue: “The woman realized, she was not alone — she was on her own.”

From Los Angeles Times

The epilogue to their union is a brokenhearted Jess having an abortion.

From Los Angeles Times

It will not end the conflict, or head off the certainty of a long and bitter epilogue.

From BBC

Related Words

• afterword 
• coda 
• postscript 
• summation