Words / B2

EP-ik/ˈepɪk/

An epic is a long poem about heroes; as an adjective, very long or impressive: an epic poem; an epic journey. Saga is a close twin; heroic is related; Homeric names a tradition. Name the epic in the literature paper, then the hero; calling a match epic is not analysis without the score. Mix-up: epic vs epoch; epidemic; do not write epic for a slogan “huge” with no poem or measured scale.

Meaning

A long poem about heroes; as an adjective, very long or impressive.

Examples

• “Name the epic in the literature paper, then the hero; calling a match epic is not analysis without the score.”
• “An epic fail in the informal source is slang — still recast it for a formal write-up.”

Good to know

an epic poem / journey; epic (adjective). Close: saga / heroic. Trap: epoch / informal “epic fail”. Literature, history, and media. A long heroic poem, or huge in scale — name the hero or the score; avoid slang in formal prose.

Near in meaning

saga, heroic poem, legend

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