Olympian

[ uh-lim-pee-uhn, oh-lim- ]

adjective

1. pertaining to Mount Olympus or dwelling thereon, as the gods of classical Greece.
2. pertaining to Olympia in Elis.
3. of, resembling, characteristic of, or suitable to the gods of Olympus; majestic or aloof:

   an Olympian landscape; an Olympian disdain.

noun

1. an Olympian deity.
2. a contender in the Olympic Games.
3. a native or inhabitant of Olympia.

Olympian

/ əˈlɪmpɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Mount Olympus or to the classical Greek gods
2. majestic or godlike in manner or bearing
3. superior to mundane considerations, esp when impractical
4. of or relating to ancient Olympia or its inhabitants

noun

1. a god of Olympus
2. an inhabitant or native of ancient Olympia
3. a competitor in the Olympic Games

Other Words From

• O·lympi·an·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of Olympian¹

1585–95; < Late Latin Olympiānus, equivalent to Latin Olympi ( us ) (< Greek Olýmpios, derivative of Ólympos Olympus ) + -ānus -an

Example Sentences

Paralympians have criticised the decision by Fortnum & Mason to hold an event for Olympians but neglect to invite any Paralympic athletes.

From BBC

One of the country's most decorated Olympians, he won six gold medals across four Games.

From BBC

There have been very few black British Winter Olympians, but there has been representation in Olympic bobsleigh squads since the 1980s.

From BBC

The Edinburgh-born Olympian's cancer was discovered last year after a routine scan for shoulder pain - he thought he had injured himself while lifting weights at the gym - revealed a tumour.

From BBC

Despite his menacing power, two-time Olympian Beterbiev's boxing skills often go under the radar.

From BBC

Related Words

• angelic
• divine
• ethereal
• immortal
• otherworldly
• spiritual
• sublime
• supernatural

More About Olympian

What does olympian mean?

An olympian is an athlete who competes (or has competed) in the Olympic Games (popularly called the Olympics), an international athletic competition featuring multiple sporting events between athletes representing their country. The word is often capitalized.

There are two related but separate events called the Olympics: one hosted in winter, called the Winter Games, and one hosted in summer, called the Summer Games (they are commonly called the Winter Olympics and the Summer Olympics). The Winter Olympics feature winter sports, including figure skating, skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey, and many others. The Summer Olympics feature traditionally warm weather and indoor sports, like track and field, gymnastics, swimming, and basketball, among many others.

At the Olympics, the Olympians who finish in the top three places in each event are famously awarded Olympic medals: gold for first place, silver for second place, and bronze for third place.

Olympians are often considered the best athletes in the world, and winning a medal—or simply being an olympian—is considered one of the peaks of athletic achievement.

The modern Olympics are based on an ancient Greek festival and competition that’s also referred to as the Olympic Games, and competitors in these games are also referred to as olympians.

Especially when it’s capitalized, the word Olympian can also be used in reference to the gods of Greek mythology, who were believed to inhabit Mount Olympus. It can be used as a noun referring to one of the gods or as an adjective to describe things involving them or resembling them. Sometimes, it’s used more generally to mean about the same thing as majestic.

Where does olympian come from?

The ancient Greek Olympic Games are thought to have been first held in 776 b.c.e., and they were held regularly—often every four years—until the 4th century c.e. They get their name from the fact that they were held in a place known as Olympia, the plain of Mount Olympus. The ancient Olympic Games featured a number of athletic competitions—some of which are still events today, such as discus—but they were also a major religious festival (hence their location, since Mount Olympus was believed to be the realm of the gods).

In 1892, French scholar Pierre de Coubertin began a movement to reinstate the Olympic Games as a global event. In 1896, the first global modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece. Today, the Olympics host thousands of olympians from more than 90 countries.

What are some terms that often get used in discussing olympians?

• athlete
• Olympics
• Olympic Games
• Summer Games
• Winter Games
• gold medal
• silver medal
• bronze medal
• Mount Olympus
• Olympia

How are olympians discussed in real life?

Many Olympic events are widely considered the pinnacle of athletic competition, and olympians are often considered the best athletes in the world.

They asked me, “How did you know you had what it took to become an Olympian?”

My answer: “My mom always told me I had it within me. And ‘mom is always right’. She never let me NOT believe it.”

Happiest of Birthdays to you Momma! May this week of skating be our gift to you. pic.twitter.com/OXpL8QVxlX

— Alexa Knierim (@alexa_knierim) March 19, 2018

On July 7th 2005, I told myself that one day I would become an Olympian. Today is the day that I can finally say I will be going to the Tokyo Olympics to take part in the 400m!

Dreams do come true, when hard work is applied!#Olympics2021 #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/K3ACNQFlC7

— Ricardo Dos Santos (@RDSS400) July 7, 2021

 

Happy national Olympic day to all my fellow Olympians out there 😊🏆 I’m very proud to call myself an Olympian. I didn’t get the result I was after but reaching the Olympics is a massive achievement & the pinnacle in any sport. pic.twitter.com/10EOdZhjxE

— Josh Taylor (@JoshTaylorBoxer) July 6, 2021

Try using olympian!

True or False?

The word olympian is ultimately based on the name of Mount Olympus.