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

Also, according to ancient Norse lore, evil and turmoil were brought to the world by the mischievous god Loki, the 13th guest at a dinner party in Valhalla. —Bailey Allen, Cape Cod Times, 13 Feb. 2026

Norse mythology also contributes, with the 13th god, Loki, bringing chaos and death. —Brandi D. Addison, Freep.com, 13 Feb. 2026

On Scotland’s Shetland Islands, a fire festival called Up Helly Aa celebrates the region’s Norse heritage. —Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026

Arrivals from the east At Qassiarsuk in south Greenland, around the time Inuit arrived in the north, Erik the Red established the first Norse farm, Brattahlíð, in 986, and sent word back to Iceland to encourage others to join him, as described in an online exhibit at the Greenland National Museum. —Genevieve Lemoine, The Conversation, 27 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for Norse

• bourse
• coarse
• course
• force
• gorse
• hoarse
• horse
• source
• concourse
• divorce
• endorse
• enforce

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