The Odyssey

Cultural  

1. 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

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

From MarketWatch • May 2, 2026

Holland is currently filming The Odyssey, the latest film from Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan, but is expected to move on to Spider-Man when shooting concludes.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2025

The Odyssey schools will welcome students back Monday.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 31, 2025

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