Penelope

American  

[puh-nel-uh-pee] / pəˈnɛl ə pi /

noun

1. Classical Mythology. the wife of Odysseus, who remained faithful to him during his long absence at Troy.

2. a faithful wife.

3. a female given name: from a Greek word meaning “weaver.”

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Penelope British  

/ pəˈnɛləpɪ /

noun

1. Greek myth the wife of Odysseus, who remained true to him during his long absence despite the importunities of many suitors

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Penelope Cultural  

1. The wife of Odysseus in classical mythology. Penelope remained true to her husband for the ten years he spent fighting in the Trojan War (see also Trojan War) and for the ten years it took him to return from Troy, even though she was harassed by men who wanted to marry her. She promised to choose a suitor after she had finished weaving a shroud for her father-in-law, but every night she unraveled what she had woven during the day. After three years, her trick was discovered, but she still managed to put her suitors off until Odysseus returned and killed them.

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Discover More

Penelope is an image of fidelity and devotion.

Example Sentences

When the system worked for an eight-page emotional scene between Odysseus and Penelope shot in Los Angeles before location work, Nolan was satisfied all would be OK.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2026

By the time he folds up the tarp, Penelope is still gone.

From Salon • Jun. 30, 2026

Buttigieg and his husband became first-time parents in 2021 when they adopted fraternal twins Joseph August and Penelope Rose.

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2026

"There was an amazing kind of collective catharsis," Wilde told AFP at the Hollywood premiere of her new film, in which she shares the screen with Seth Rogen, Edward Norton and Penelope Cruz.

From Barron's • Jun. 25, 2026

It had been a mistake to come in, and now Penelope simply wanted to get it over with.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood