epithet

[ep-uh-thet]

noun

1. any word or phrase applied to a person or thing to describe an actual or attributed quality.

   “Richard the Lion-Hearted” is an epithet of Richard I.

   Synonyms: appellation, designation, sobriquet, nickname

2. a characterizing word or phrase firmly associated with a person or thing and often used in place of an actual name, title, or the like, as “man's best friend” for “dog.”

   Synonyms: appellation, designation, sobriquet, nickname

3. a word, phrase, or expression used invectively as a term of abuse or contempt, to express hostility, etc..

   He demeans his female employees by addressing them with sexist epithets.

   Synonyms: obscenity, expletive, abuse, insult, curse

4. Botany, Zoology.,  specific epithet.

epithet

/ ˈɛpɪˌθɛt /

noun

1. a descriptive word or phrase added to or substituted for a person's name

   "Lackland" is an epithet for King John

Other Word Forms

• epithetic adjective
• epithetical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of epithet¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin epitheton “adjective; word used attributively,” from Greek epítheton “something added, adjective, epithet,” derivative of epitithénai “to place upon, put upon,” equivalent to epi- + the- (variant stem of tithénai “to put, place”) + -ton neuter participle suffix; epi-

Word History and Origins

Origin of epithet¹

C16: from Latin epitheton, from Greek, from epitithenai to add, from tithenai to put

Example Sentences

Missing from both is the opening track from “Some Time in New York City,” a powerful feminist broadside that uses a racial epithet in its title.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Another man accused of assaulting pro-Palestinian demonstrators and hurling racial epithets at them was also granted diversion in July.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They couldn’t have known that their post would kick off a debate about racial slurs and the rush to adopt new epithets for outgroups.

Read more on Salon

He provoked physical fights at protests and published reams of digital nonsense against Latino politicians, once superimposing a giant sombrero on an image of Antonio Villaraigosa with the epithet, “Viva Mexico!”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

First shared in a social media post on X, “Heil Hitler” as been widely denounced for its racial epithets and antisemitism.

Read more on Los Angeles Times