-ode

¹

1. a suffix of nouns, appearing in loanwords from Greek, where it meant “like”; used in the formation of compound words:

   phyllode.

-ode

²

1. a combining form meaning “way,” “road,” used in the formation of compound words:

   anode; electrode.

ode

³

[ ohd ]

noun

1. a lyric poem typically of elaborate or irregular metrical form and expressive of exalted or enthusiastic emotion.
2. (originally) a poem intended to be sung.

-ode

¹

combining form

1. denoting a path or way

   electrode

ode

²

/ əʊd /

noun

1. a lyric poem, typically addressed to a particular subject, with lines of varying lengths and complex rhythms See also Horatian ode Pindaric ode
2. (formerly) a poem meant to be sung

-ode

³

combining form

1. denoting resemblance

   nematode

ode

1. A kind of poem devoted to the praise of a person, animal, or thing. An ode is usually written in an elevated style and often expresses deep feeling. An example is “ Ode on a Grecian Urn ,” by John Keats .

Word History and Origins

Origin of -ode¹

< Greek -ōdēs, probably generalized from adjectives describing smells, as kēṓdēs smelling like incense; base ōd- of ózein to smell, give off odor

Origin of -ode²

< Greek -odos, combining form of hodós

Origin of -ode³

1580–90; < Middle French < Late Latin ōda < Greek ōidḗ, contraction of aoidḗ song, derivative of aeídein to sing

Word History and Origins

Origin of -ode¹

from Greek -odos, from hodos a way

Origin of -ode²

C16: via French from Late Latin ōda, from Greek ōidē, from aeidein to sing

Origin of -ode³

from Greek -ōdēs, from eidos shape, form

Example Sentences

But I just can’t help myself — and this dreamy, lilting, rose-colored ode to a crush is probably my favorite song on Sophie Allison’s latest album, “Evergreen.”

From New York Times

It’s a small gesture that gets cheers from the crowd and an ode to the singer’s sexually loaded lyrics and his Latin dance skills.

From Salon

The brass band strikes up Ode to the Motherland as young children, kept up late for the occasion, their cheeks adorned with the Chinese flag, all shout in full song.

From BBC

Where to eat: Just a few minutes’ walk from the Hilton is the Green Dragon Tavern & Museum, an ode to a famous 18th-century New England tavern, where you can have New England baked cod but also more modern fare like vegetarian artichoke pizza.

From Los Angeles Times

After an aggressive and somewhat insulting birthday toast, Trump wheels out an American flag-shaped birthday cake festooned with sparklers, an ode to Cohn’s oft-repeated professions of love for country.

From Los Angeles Times

About This Word

What else does ode mean?

In literature, an ode is a type of lyrical poem enthusiastically praising a person or event. The slang ode, pronounced [ oh-dee ], is an intensifying adverb meaning “really” or “very.”

How is ode pronounced?

[ ohd ] or [ oh-dee ]

What are other forms of ode?

odee

What are some other words related to ode?

• mad
• hella

Where does ode come from?

The ancient Greeks can be thanked for the original ode, poems that exalted individuals, actions, or nature. Famous ode writers over the centuries include the Greek Pindar, the Roman Horace, and, in the English language, John Keats. The word ode, from a Greek word meaning “song” or “chant,” is recorded in English in the 1500s.

The word ode is often found in the construction ode to X, with X being the object of the poem or other artistic work’s praise.

The slang ode (or odee) emerged as a substitute for “really” or “very” by 2009. It appears to be a phonetic spelling of the acronym for overdose, OD, whose original sense was extended to the idea of doing something to an extreme extent, hence “really” or “very.”

How is ode used in real life?

Outside of more formal literature, art, and music, ode is used as a term for “heightened praise” more generally (e.g., an ode to cute animal pictures). Very often, the grand scale of ode is used this way in a humorous manner, praising more mundane objects, such as bathrobes or coffee, for the joy they give people in their everyday lives.

Ode to my bathrobe: Oh bathrobe, so cuddly and warm, so navy and so blue, how I love you.

— Al Baxter (@aebaxter) January 24, 2007

Ode for “very” is found in slang. It carries a sense of exaggeration, much like the slang mad or hella. Extremely tired? Ode tired. Extremely late? Ode late. Really into someone? Ode attracted.

Don’t y’all hate when you get yo hair done and ya forehead be looking ode big

— ꒒ꏂꇙꃳ꒐ꋬꋊ ꊰꋬ꒐ꋪꌦ ❁ (@LUVDREAM9) September 8, 2018

 

More examples of ode:

“An ode to Adventure Time, one of TV’s most ambitious—and yes, most adventurous, shows”

—Dan Schindel, Vox (headline), September 2018