epithet

noun

ep·​i·​thet ˈe-pə-ˌthet 

also -thət

1

a

: a characterizing word or phrase accompanying or occurring in place of the name of a person or thing

b

: a disparaging or abusive word or phrase

c

: the part of a taxonomic name identifying a subordinate unit within a genus

2

obsolete : expression

epithetic

ˌe-pə-ˈthe-tik 

adjective

or epithetical

ˌe-pə-ˈthe-ti-kəl 

Did you know?

Nowadays, epithet is usually used negatively, with the meaning "a disparaging word or phrase," but it wasn't always that way. Epithet comes from Greek epitithenai, meaning "to put on" or "to add." In its oldest sense, epithet is simply a descriptive word or phrase, especially one joined by fixed association to the name of someone or something, as in "Ivan the Great" or the Homeric phrase "wine-dark sea."

Synonyms of epithet

• nickname
• moniker
• surname

Examples of epithet in a Sentence

His charitable works have earned him the epithet “Mr. Philanthropy.”

Many were offended by her use of racial epithets.

a group of angry people hurling epithets at one another

Recent Examples on the Web

The student’s lawyer called it a racial epithet that shamed a teenager because of his Palestinian-American roots. — Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 12 Nov. 2026

This all happened after years in which the President and the Vice-President have deployed racist epithets, jokes, and myths. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2026

Throughout his trial and during his April 2018 sentencing in Sacramento Superior Court, Bracamontes repeatedly hurled insults, profanity and racist epithets at those in the courtroom, including Oliver’s mother and his law enforcement partner. — Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026

In the lawsuit, the family also claimed that an Oaks Christian School teacher accused their son of lying about the harassment after a student called him a racial epithet inside a classroom. — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin epitheton, from Greek, from neuter of epithetos added, from epitithenai to put on, add, from epi- + tithenai to put — more at do entry 1

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing epithet

• specific epithet

Rhymes for epithet

• alphabet
• arpanet
• bassinet
• bayonet
• biuret
• cigarette
• clarinet
• coronet
• coverlet
• dataset
• ethernet
• heavyset

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Kids Definition

epithet

noun

ep·​i·​thet ˈep-ə-ˌthet 

1

a

: a word or phrase (as Lionhearted in "Richard the Lionhearted") that expresses a quality thought to be characteristic of a person or thing

b

: a word or name used as a term of abuse

2

: the part of a taxonomic name identifying a subordinate unit within a genus

epithetic

ˌep-ə-ˈthet-ik 

adjective

or epithetical

-ˈthet-i-kəl 

Medical Definition

epithet

noun

ep·​i·​thet

ˈep-ə-ˌthet also -thət

: the part of a scientific name identifying the species, variety, or other subunit within a genus see specific epithet