Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

epigone

noun
ep·i·gone | \ ˈe-pə-ˌgōn \

Definition of epigone 

: follower, disciple also : an inferior imitator

Other Words from epigone Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about epigone

Keep scrolling for more

Other words from epigone

epigonic \ˌe-pə-ˈgä-nik \ or epigonous \i-ˈpi-gə-nəs, e- \ adjective
epigonism \i-ˈpi-gə-ˌni-zəm, e- \ noun

Did You Know?

English borrowed "epigone" from German in the 19th century. The Germans themselves had taken the word from the Latin epigonus, which means "successor." The Latin term followed the Greek epigonos, which was often used in plural to designate the sons of seven legendary Greek leaders who were defeated at Thebes. "Epigonos" in turn came from the Greek verb epigignesthai, meaning "to be born after." "Epi-" can mean "after," and gignesthai means "to be born."

Examples of epigone in a Sentence

few of director Alfred Hitchcock's many epigones possess much of the master's wit or style

Recent Examples on the Web

 Ms. Yamaguchi is an heir of Tamara de Lempicka, epigone of Art Deco figuration. — Roberta Smith, New York Times, "Out-of-Town Galleries Arrive, Bearing Art," 13 July 2017 That became the conventional wisdom once their stateside epigones took up the cry. — Tom Carson, New York Times, "A Filmmaker’s Journey," 1 June 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'epigone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of epigone

1865, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for epigone

German, from Latin epigonus successor, from Greek epigonos, from epigignesthai to be born after, from epi- + gignesthai to be born — more at kin

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about epigone

Listen to Our Podcast about epigone

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Dictionary Entries near epigone

epiglottis

epigonal

epigonation

epigone

Epigonichthys

epigonium

epigonos

Statistics for epigone

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for epigone

The first known use of epigone was in 1865

See more words from the same year

More from Merriam-Webster on epigone

See words that rhyme with epigone

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for epigone

Comments on epigone

What made you want to look up epigone? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

glade

an open space surrounded by woods

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Name that Food Quiz

  • alt-573b465788319
  • Name these cookies!
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games