satyr

American  

[sey-ter, sat-er] / ˈseɪ tər, ˈsæt ər /

noun

satyrs plural

1. Classical Mythology. one of a class of woodland deities, attendant on Bacchus, represented as part human, part horse, and sometimes part goat and noted for riotousness and lasciviousness.

2. a lascivious man; lecher.

3. a man who has satyriasis.

4. Also called satyr butterfly.  Also satyrid any of several butterflies of the family Satyridae, having gray or brown wings marked with eyespots.

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satyr British  

/ ˈsætə, səˈtɪrɪk /

noun

1. Greek myth one of a class of sylvan deities, represented as goatlike men who drank and danced in the train of Dionysus and chased the nymphs

2. a man who has strong sexual desires

3. a man who has satyriasis

4. any of various butterflies of the genus Satyrus and related genera, having dark wings often marked with eyespots: family Satyridae

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satyr Cultural  

1. A creature in classical mythology who was part man and part goat. Satyrs were famous for being constantly drunk and for chasing nymphs. They were companions of Dionysus.

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Discover More

By extension, a “satyr” is a lecherous male.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• satyr-like
  adjective
• satyric
  adjective
• satyrical
  adjective
• satyrlike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• satyrs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of satyr

1325–75; Middle English < Latin satyrus < Greek sátyros

Explanation

In classical mythology, satyrs were companions to Pan, a fertility god, and Dionysus, the god of wine and ecstasy. As you might guess, satyrs were not known for their mild-mannered ways: Like their patrons, they were excessively fond of women, drink, and song. In Greek art, the satyr was depicted as a man with the ears and tail of a horse. Roman artists emphasized this creature's relationship to the goat-god Pan by giving the satyr a goat's ears, horns, and haunches. In both cases, the satyr's animal aspect symbolized his immoderate appetites. This noun can also be used metaphorically for a man whose sexual desire is stronger than his sense of decency.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

satyr satyrs

Some of the most affected species include the Florida white, Hermes copper, tailed orange, Mitchell's satyr, and West Virginia white, all of which have declined in abundance by more than 98% within the US.

From BBC ● Mar. 6, 2025

Grover is a cautious satyr who embarks on daring mythological journeys alongside Percy and Annabeth.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 11, 2022

While stuck on Earth as a mortal, the demigod Hercules still retains his superhuman strength and, with the help of a Danny Devito-voiced satyr, must learn what really makes a hero.

From The Verge ● Apr. 30, 2020

The Detroit Free Press reports that the spraying to quell the alarming rise of Eastern equine encephalitis disease threatens essential pollinators such as bumblebees and the endangered Mitchell’s satyr butterfly.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 12, 2019

But the satyr seemed to know what he was doing.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull

Other members of Vila Isabel took their inspiration from satyrs.

From BBC ● Feb. 23, 2023

These are baby krampuses, elves, bugs, satyrs, fairies, and vampires.

From The Verge ● Mar. 10, 2022

That show will include among its 300 works a Greek drinking cup featuring the god Dionysius and satyrs that was made around 480 B.C.

From New York Times ● Oct. 21, 2020

This is the kind of house where wall sconces take the shapes of satyrs.

From The New Yorker ● Oct. 2, 2018

Four fountains gurgled in the meadow, each shooting water from the pipes of stone satyrs.

From "The Battle of the Labyrinth" by Rick Riordan