Olympian

1 of 4

adjective (1)

Olym·​pi·​an ə-ˈlim-pē-ən 

ō-

1

: of or relating to, or inhabiting Mount Olympus in Thessaly

Olympian gods

2

: befitting, characteristic of, or suggestive of the gods conceived as inhabiting Mount Olympus : lofty

Olympian detachment

… his … formula of glib simplicity and Olympian arrogance …

—Richard Pollak

It was all said with an Olympian calm.

—James Clavell

In 1961 Mumford was 66 years old and an Olympian figure in American culture.

—The New York Times Book Review

Olympian

2 of 4

adjective (2)

1

: of or relating to the ancient Greek region of Olympia

2

: of, relating to, or constituting the Olympic Games

Olympian

3 of 4

noun (1)

plural Olympians

1

: a participant in Olympic Games

To be an alltime Olympian, you can't just be 23 and dominate over a four-year span. You have to age, battle time and remain on top.

—S. L. Price

2

: a native or inhabitant of Olympia

Olympian

4 of 4

noun (2)

plural Olympians

1

: one of the ancient Greek deities dwelling on Olympus

… has suggested to some that he was a new god, accepted late into the Greek pantheon of Olympians.

—M. C. Howatson

2

: a being of lofty detachment or superior attainments

Did you know?

The Greek gods lived high atop Mt. Olympus, which allowed them to watch what went on in the human realm below and intervene as they saw fit. They insisted on being properly worshipped by humans, but otherwise tended to treat the affairs of these weak and short-lived creatures almost like a sport. So Olympian describes someone who seems "lofty" and "above it all", as if surveying a scene in which other people appear the size of ants. The Olympic Games were first celebrated in the 8th century B.C., at the religious site called Olympia (far from Mt. Olympus), and Olympian today actually most often refers to Olympic athletes.

Examples of Olympian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Partners can also stay to look out for the little ones while their Olympian parents go for the gold. —Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 28 Mar. 2024

Last fall, a few yards away, a smaller, smellier pool without Olympian accreditation formed. —Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2024

The year 2023 may ultimately be recognized as when superhero films fell from the Olympian heights. —Jacob Brogan, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024

But their actual work — whose legitimacy has been under attack — usually comes to us at an Olympian remove. —James Poniewozik, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2024

Monarchs senior Issac Gonzalez scored his penalty kick before Olympian senior Falvio Mora Gil approached the circle. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2024

The Monarchs might have given Orange Lutheran a scare after a 3-3 tie in the first quarter, but then the Lancers started executing like an unbeaten team and opened an 8-3 halftime lead The Lancers’ coach, Brenda Villa, is a four-time Olympian and leading scorer in Olympic water polo history. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2024

Fans can expect to see Olympian and outdoor American record holder KC Lightfoot, who placed 4th at the Tokyo Olympics. —Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024

Barber, a world champion pole vaulter, Olympian and three-time NCAA champ during his time at Akron, died at his home Wednesday in Kingwood, Texas, from medical complications. —Michael Beaven, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2024

Noun

Three-time kayak slalom Olympian Scott Shipley, who is now a mechanical engineer, designed all three whitewater parks. —Rolando Arrieta, NPR, 15 Apr. 2024

Serena Williams Wears Gucci In New York City, Olympian Serena Williams took a stroll in a stunning yellow sleeveless dress that exuded spring. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 12 Apr. 2024

The erstwhile Olympian is tangentially connected to Simpson through her ex-wife Kris Jenner, who was previously married to Robert Kardashian. —EW.com, 11 Apr. 2024

The 27-year-old Olympian doubled up on the sequins for a night out with her husband, Jonathan Owens, as the couple apparently caught a Houston Rockets game at the city's Toyota Center on April 5. —Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024

On Sunday, the Olympian, 32, celebrated her first Easter since welcoming son Barrett 'Bear' Madison, 3 months. —Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024

Alina Solis, Olympian, Sr. 130: Kylie Stanley, Granite Hills, Sr. 135: Kayla Edwards, Rancho Buena Vista, Sr. 140: Olivia Davis, Monte Vista, So. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024

This series gives a raw glimpse into the epic failures and resilience of an Olympian, celebrity chef, YouTuber, doctor, and more. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024

Clair DeGeorge, a player for Minnesota of the Professional Women's Hockey League; rugby Olympian Kathryn Johnson; five-time WNBA champion Rebekkah Brunson; and Diamond Miller, a forward on the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx, have all stopped by to sign the bar’s Athlete Wall of Fame. —Emilie Ikeda, NBC News, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Olympian

• Olympian Games

Kids Definition

Olympian

1 of 4 adjective

Olym·​pi·​an ə-ˈlim-pē-ən 

ō-

1

: of or relating to Olympus

2

: relating to or proper for one of the Greek gods of Olympus : lofty

Olympian

2 of 4 adjective

1

: of or relating to the ancient Greek region of Olympia

2

: olympic sense 2

Olympian

3 of 4 noun

: an athlete who competes in the Olympic Games

Olympian

4 of 4 noun

: one of the Greek gods living on Olympus