odyssey

noun

od·​ys·​sey ˈä-də-sē 

plural odysseys

1

: a long wandering or voyage usually marked by many changes of fortune

his odyssey from rural South to urban North, from poverty to affluence, from Afro-American folk culture to a Eurocentric world of books

—J. E. Wideman

2

: an intellectual or spiritual wandering or quest

an odyssey of self-discovery

a spiritual odyssey from disbelief to faith

Did you know?

Odysseus, the hero of Homer's Odyssey, spends 20 years traveling home from the Trojan War. He has astonishing adventures and learns a great deal about himself and the world; he even descends to the underworld to talk to the dead. Thus, an odyssey is any long, complicated journey, often a quest for a goal, and may be a spiritual or psychological journey as well as an actual voyage.

Examples of odyssey in a Sentence

The story is about the emotional odyssey experienced by a teenage girl.

the spiritual odyssey of the deeply religious

Recent Examples on the Web

From infectious bops to poignant ballads, each track boasted a unique country twist, taking listeners on a diverse musical odyssey across its 27-song roster. —Alex Kessler, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2024

That night started a three-day food poisoning odyssey. —Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 29 Mar. 2024

Through dynamic cinematography and a pulsating soundtrack, Waves presents an emotional odyssey that reflects on forgiveness and healing, showcasing the indomitable spirit of youth. —Travis Bean, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

Many of the migrants have traveled for months from South America and beyond, crossing oceans, jungles, mountains, cities and deserts in a transcontinental odyssey. —Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024

In the shadow of two buttes, Alex Cobb’s four-month odyssey came full circle. —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024

The case leads the detective on an odyssey that consciously resembles an old Raymond Chandler story, the kind that might have starred Humphrey Bogart or Robert Mitchum back in the day. —Brian Lowry, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024

The 13-track odyssey is both melancholic and euphoric, a combination that feels like an acceptance of life’s relentlessness. —Margaret Farrell, SPIN, 3 Apr. 2024

Darkness on the Edge of Town Renaissance was a full-on dance-pop odyssey, so the mood was celebratory. —Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

the Odyssey, epic poem attributed to Homer recounting the long wanderings of Odysseus

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

odyssey

noun

od·​ys·​sey ˈäd-ə-sē 

plural odysseys

: a long wandering or series of travels

Etymology

named for the Odyssey, a long poem from ancient Greece telling the story of the 10-year wanderings of Odysseus, a Greek hero and king