Meaning & use
epithet
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Meanings
nouncountableformal
A descriptive word or phrase added to a name, such as the Great in Alexander the Great.
Grammar: Often follows or replaces a name.
Patterns
- the epithet of someone
The king earned the epithet the Bold.
Richard is remembered by the epithet Lionheart.
The poet used a fixed epithet for the sea.
nouncountableoffensive
A rude or insulting word or phrase used about someone.
Grammar: Often plural, as in racial epithets.
Patterns
- hurl an epithet at someone
Someone hurled an epithet at the referee.
The article described the epithets shouted at players.
She was upset by the epithet in the comments.
Word forms
| plural | epithets |
|---|
Common combinations
- racial epithet
- Using a racial epithet is never acceptable.
- hurl epithets
- Fans hurled epithets from the stands.
- a fitting epithet
- The Iron Lady was a fitting epithet.
- earn the epithet
- He earned the epithet the Terrible.
- an unflattering epithet
- The critic gave an unflattering epithet.
Synonyms and how they differ
- nickname
- Nickname is an informal name used by friends, while epithet is added to a name and is more formal.
- title
- Title is an official designation, while epithet is a descriptive tag.
- insult
- Insult is any rude remark, while epithet names a rude word or phrase for a person.
- sobriquet
- Sobriquet is a more literary word for a descriptive nickname.
Opposites
Word family
- epithetic adjective
- relating to an epithet
- epithetical adjective
- of the nature of an epithet
- epithet noun
- a term attached to a name
Commonly confused: epithet or epitaph? epithet or epigraph?
epithet vs epitaph
An epitaph is words written on a gravestone, not a descriptive name.
epithet vs epigraph
An epigraph is a short quotation at the start of a book.
Practice
The king was remembered by the ____ the Wise, added after his name.
Choose one answer.
An epithet is a descriptive phrase attached to a name. An epitaph is on a grave, and epigram and episode have other meanings.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “epithet”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.