Epithet Meaning in English
word
Definition
An epithet is a descriptive word or phrase used to characterize someone or something, sometimes as a title, and can also mean an insulting or offensive nickname.
Usage & Nuances
'Epithet' is formal, often in literature or academic contexts for positive descriptions, but in conversation typically refers to slurs or insults (e.g. 'racial epithet'). Not to be confused with 'epitaph' (engraving on a tombstone). Rare in everyday speech.
Example Sentences
Homer often used an epithet to describe gods, like 'swift-footed Achilles'.
basic
The word 'brave' in 'the brave knight' is an epithet.
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Sometimes, people use an epithet as an insult.
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He angrily shouted a racial epithet during the argument.
natural
Journalists avoid using offensive epithets in their reports.
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In classical poetry, an epithet can make descriptions more vivid.
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