Mount Olympus

Meanings

1. 1proper nounproper

   The highest mountain in Greece, in the north of the country, believed in ancient Greek religion to be the home of the gods.

   Grammar: Used as a name, so it takes no article: we climbed Mount Olympus, not 'the Mount Olympus'.

   Patterns

   • climb Mount Olympus
   • the slopes of Mount Olympus
   • the summit of Mount Olympus

   Every summer, thousands of hikers try to reach the top of Mount Olympus.

   In Greek myths, the twelve main gods lived on Mount Olympus.

   The clouds sat low over Mount Olympus, hiding the highest peak.

2. 2proper nounproper

   The name of several other mountains and places in the world, especially in the United States.

   Grammar: When it means one of these other places, the context usually makes clear which one is meant.

   Patterns

   • Mount Olympus in Utah
   • Mount Olympus, Washington

   There is also a Mount Olympus in Utah, popular with local climbers.

   The town named Mount Olympus was founded by Greek immigrants.

Common combinations

climb Mount Olympus

They spent three days climbing Mount Olympus.

the summit of Mount Olympus

Snow still covered the summit of Mount Olympus in June.

the gods of Mount Olympus

Stories about the gods of Mount Olympus are still told in schools.

Mount Olympus National Park

Mount Olympus National Park protects rare plants and birds.

Synonyms and how they differ

Olympus

A shorter name for the same mountain, common in mythology writing but less clear in ordinary travel talk.

Word family

Olympian adjective

Relating to Mount Olympus or to the ancient Greek gods.

Olympian noun

One of the gods believed to live on Mount Olympus.

Commonly confused: Mount Olympus or Olympia? Mount Olympus or Olympics?

Practice

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