Olympian

adjective (1)

Olym·pi·an | \ ə-ˈlim-pē-ən

, ō-\

Definition of Olympian

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 : of or relating to Mount Olympus in Thessaly

2 : befitting or characteristic of an Olympian especially : lofty his … formula of glib simplicity and Olympian arrogance — Richard Pollak

Olympian

adjective (2)

Definition of Olympian (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : of or relating to the ancient Greek region of Olympia

2 : of, relating to, or constituting the Olympic Games

Olympian

noun (1)

Definition of Olympian (Entry 3 of 4)

: a participant in Olympic Games

Olympian

noun (2)

Definition of Olympian (Entry 4 of 4)

1 : one of the ancient Greek deities dwelling on Olympus

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.