Norse

1 of 2

noun

ˈnȯrs 

plural Norse

1

a

: norwegian sense 2

b

: any of the western Scandinavian dialects or languages

c

: the Scandinavian group of Germanic languages

2

plural

a

: scandinavians

b

: norwegians

Norse

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of or relating to ancient Scandinavia or the language of its inhabitants

2

: norwegian

Examples of Norse in a Sentence

Noun

The Norse arrived in the ninth century.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In addition to consuming whale meat and blubber, Norse people used the bones as tools, vessels, gaming pieces, furniture, and beams for roofs and walls. —Andrew Chapman, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2024

Specials on Crazy Norse all night, giveaways, trophy presentation at 7 p.m. Free admission. —Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 19 May 2024

This has its roots in Norse mythology, which is filled with a lively brigade of heroic gods and chaotic denizens. —Kristina Lindborg, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 May 2024

The angelic figures who guide slain heroes to the afterlife in Valhalla – paradise in Norse legends – were first written about in the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda manuscripts in the Middle Ages. —Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 14 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably from obsolete Dutch noorsch, adjective, Norwegian, Scandinavian, alteration of obsolete Dutch noordsch northern, from Dutch noord north; akin to Old English north north

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

circa 1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Norse

• Old Norse
• the Norse

Kids Definition

Norse

noun

ˈnȯ(ə)rs

1

plural Norse

a

: the Scandinavian people

b

: the Norwegian people

2

a

: norwegian sense 2

b

: any of the Scandinavian languages

Norse adjective