ode

¹ American  

[ohd] / oʊd /

noun

1. a lyric poem typically of elaborate or irregular metrical form and expressive of exalted or enthusiastic emotion.

2. (originally) a poem intended to be sung.

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-ode ² American  

1. a suffix of nouns, appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it meant “like”; used in the formation of compound words.

   phyllode.

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-ode ³ American  

1. a combining form meaning “way,” “road,” used in the formation of compound words.

   anode; electrode.

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-ode ¹ British  

combining form

1. denoting a path or way

   electrode

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-ode ² British  

combining form

1. denoting resemblance

   nematode

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ode ³ British  

/ əʊd /

noun

1. a lyric poem, typically addressed to a particular subject, with lines of varying lengths and complex rhythms See also Horatian ode Pindaric ode

2. (formerly) a poem meant to be sung

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ode Cultural  

1. A kind of poem devoted to the praise of a person, animal, or thing. An ode is usually written in an elevated style and often expresses deep feeling. An example is “Ode on a Grecian Urn,” by John Keats.

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Usage

What else does ode mean? In literature, an ode is a type of lyrical poem enthusiastically praising a person or event. The slang ode, pronounced [ oh-dee ], is an intensifying adverb meaning "really" or "very."How is ode pronounced?[ ohd ] or [ oh-dee ]What are other forms of ode?odeeWhat are some other words related to ode?

• mad
• hella

What does -ode mean? The combining form -ode is used like a suffix that has two distinct senses. The first of these senses is “like,” and this form of -ode is very occasionally used in a variety of scientific terms, especially in biology. This sense of -ode comes from Greek -ōdēs, roughly meaning “smell.” This suffix in Greek likely comes from words that describe smells and is related to the verb ózein, which means "to smell."The second of these senses is “way” or "road," and this form of -ode is occasionally used in a variety of technical terms, especially in electrical terms. This sense of -ode comes from Greek hodós, meaning "way."

Etymology

Origin of ode¹

1580–90; < Middle French < Late Latin ōda < Greek ōidḗ, contraction of aoidḗ song, derivative of aeídein to sing

Origin of -ode²

< Greek -ōdēs, probably generalized from adjectives describing smells, as kēṓdēs smelling like incense; base ōd- of ózein to smell, give off odor

Origin of -ode³

< Greek -odos, combining form of hodós

Explanation

An ode is a kind of poem, usually praising something. A famous example is John Keats' "Ode on a Grecian Urn." Apparently, Keats was really into urns. An ode is a form of lyric poetry — expressing emotion — and it's usually addressed to someone or something, or it represents the poet's musings on that person or thing, as Keats' ode tells us what he thought as he looked at the Grecian urn. The word ode comes from a Greek word for "song," and like a song, an ode is made up of verses and can have a complex meter.

Example Sentences

With its sign of hope, it’s a statement of her lifelong philosophy, a reason she has attracted a popular following, and an ode to life.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

“Marc by Sofia” is a deceptively heartwarming ode to self-expression, and the kind of life that can be cobbled together with an unyielding commitment to individuality.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

He said his winning menu was an ode to his family.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Although the side sang Iran's anthem -- an ode to the glory of the Islamic republic -- in later matches, human rights activists warned the damage was done.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

The most brilliant of the visions was the stars and moon spinning around each other in a glittering sky, an ode to the Gran’s real name, Knox—an ancient word that meant night.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega