The Odyssey

Cultural

An ancient Greek epic by Homer that recounts the adventures of Odysseus during his return from the war in Troy to his home in the Greek island of Ithaca. (See Odysseus and Troy under “Mythology and Folklore”; see also Penelope, Circe, and Cyclops.)

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Figuratively, an “odyssey” is any difficult, prolonged journey.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Greek mythology provides guidance, specifically Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey.

From MarketWatch • May 2, 2026

The Odyssey schools will welcome students back Monday.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 31, 2025

The Odyssey is a residential, around-the-world cruise that was scheduled to depart from Belfast in May.

From BBC • Oct. 3, 2024

There's "The Odyssey," there's "Romeo and Juliet," there's "The Parent Trap" and now there's "Groundhog Day."

From Salon • Oct. 26, 2023

Cleopatra read Homer’s epics, The Iliad and The Odyssey, poetry by Hesiod and Pindar; and plays by Euripides and Menander.

From "Sterling Biographies®: Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen" by Susan Blackaby

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023