Here are words and phrases in English that are derived from Greek or Roman mythology, each with a brief explanation of the mythological connection. These words and expressions show the enduring influence of ancient mythology on modern English, across various fields from literature to science to everyday speech.

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The Big List (PDF)

Acheron – One of the rivers of the underworld, now representing sorrow or affliction.

Achilles’ heel – From the Greek hero Achilles, whose only vulnerability was his heel.

Adonis – A handsome youth loved by Aphrodite, now representing a very attractive young man.

Aegis – The shield or protection of Zeus or Athena, now meaning protection or sponsorship.

Aeolian – From Aeolus, god of the winds, now referring to things related to the wind.

Aeon – From the Greek god Aion, symbolizing eternity, now meaning an indefinite or long period of time.

Aether – The personification of the upper air in Greek mythology, now meaning a clear sky or upper atmosphere.

Alecto – One of the Furies, representing unceasing anger, now symbolizing relentless fury.

Amazonian – From the Amazons, a race of warrior women, now meaning tall, strong, or powerful women.

Ambrosia – The food of the gods, now meaning something extremely pleasing to taste or smell.

Amphitrite – Goddess of the sea and wife of Poseidon, now used in contexts related to the sea.

Andromeda – A princess chained to a rock as a sacrifice, now symbolizing someone in distress waiting for rescue.

Anthropomorphic – From “anthropos” (man) and “morphe” (form), now meaning attributing human traits to gods, animals, or objects.

Arachnid – Derived from Arachne, a mortal weaver turned into a spider by Athena.

Argonaut – From Jason and the Argonauts, now meaning a bold adventurer.

Ariadne – From Ariadne, who helped Theseus in the Labyrinth, now symbolizing a guide through a complicated process.

Ariadne’s thread – From Ariadne, who helped Theseus navigate the Labyrinth, now meaning a solving tool or guide through complexity.

Atlas – A Titan condemned to hold up the sky, now referring to someone bearing a heavy burden or a collection of maps.

Atlas – The Titan forced to hold up the sky, now symbolizing strength or collections of maps.

Augean stables – From King Augeas, whose stables Hercules cleaned, now meaning a place requiring immense cleaning or reform.

Aurora – From Aurora, the Roman goddess of dawn, now meaning the natural light display in the sky.

Aurora Borealis – Named after Aurora, goddess of the dawn, now referring to the northern lights.

Auroral – From Aurora, goddess of the dawn, now describing something related to or resembling dawn.

Bacchanalian – Refers to Bacchus (Dionysus), the god of wine, now describing wild, drunken revelry.

Calliope – Muse of epic poetry, now used to describe a musical instrument resembling an organ.

Calypso – From the nymph who detained Odysseus on her island, now meaning something enchanting or holding captive.

Cassandra – A prophetess cursed to always tell the truth but never be believed, now meaning someone whose warnings are ignored.

Centaur – Half-human, half-horse creatures, now symbolizing duality or balance between man and nature.

Centaurean – From Centaurs, creatures with the body of a horse and torso of a man, symbolizing strength or wildness.

Cerberus – The three-headed dog guarding the underworld, now symbolizing a vigilant guardian.

Cereal – From Ceres, Roman goddess of grain, now referring to grains like wheat and oats.

Cereal – From Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture and grain.

Chaos – The primordial void from which everything originated, now meaning disorder or confusion.

Charybdis – A sea monster who created whirlpools, now representing a dangerous or unavoidable threat.

Chimera – A fire-breathing monster with a lion’s head, goat’s body, and serpent’s tail, now meaning a fanciful or grotesque illusion.

Chimera – A monstrous creature in Greek mythology, now meaning an impossible or fantastical idea.

Chimerical – From the Chimera, a fire-breathing monster, now meaning something wildly fanciful or impossible.

Circe – A sorceress who turned men into animals, now meaning someone dangerously alluring.

Circean – From Circe, a powerful enchantress, now meaning dangerously seductive or enchanting.

Clotho – One of the Fates, who spun the thread of life, now used in discussions of destiny.

Clytemnestra – From the wife of Agamemnon, known for her treachery, now symbolizing betrayal.

Cornucopia – The horn of plenty, a symbol of abundance, now meaning a large supply or bounty.

Cupid’s arrow – From Cupid, the god of love, whose arrows caused people to fall in love.

Cupidity – From Cupid, the god of love, now meaning excessive greed or desire.

Cyclopean – From the Cyclopes, giant one-eyed beings, now meaning massive or rough in construction.

Daedalian – From Daedalus, a skilled craftsman, now meaning clever or intricate craftsmanship.

Daphne – A nymph transformed into a laurel tree to escape Apollo, now symbolizing purity or evasion.

Delphic – From the Oracle of Delphi, known for giving ambiguous prophecies, now meaning obscure or enigmatic.

Delphinium – A flower named after the Delphi Oracle, known for its deep blue color, symbolizing beauty and mystery.

Deucalion – The Greek equivalent of Noah, who survived a great flood, symbolizing renewal or a second chance.

Diana – Roman goddess of the hunt, now used to refer to someone connected with nature or hunting.

Diomedes’ horses – From Diomedes’ flesh-eating horses, now referring to an uncontrollable or dangerous situation.

Dionysian – From Dionysus, god of wine and revelry, now symbolizing wild, irrational, or hedonistic behavior.

Dryad – Tree nymphs in Greek mythology, now representing the spirits of trees or nature.

Echidna – A half-woman, half-snake monster, now symbolizing a dangerous or hidden threat.

Echo – A nymph who could only repeat what others said, now meaning a repeated sound.

Elysian – Derived from Elysium, the resting place of the blessed dead, now meaning blissful or heavenly.

Elysium/Elysian – From Elysium, the resting place of heroes, now meaning a place of great happiness or peace.

Elysium/Elysian Fields – The final resting place of heroes, now meaning a blissful paradise.

Empyrean – Derived from the highest heaven, home of the gods, now referring to the celestial or the heavens.

Eos – The Greek goddess of the dawn, now used to refer to early or dawn-related things.

Erebus – Personification of darkness, now meaning deep gloom or a place of darkness.

Eris – The goddess of discord, now representing chaos or conflict.

Erisian – From Eris, goddess of strife, now meaning something that causes discord or conflict.

Eros – God of love and attraction, now representing passionate or romantic love.

Eumenides – A name for the Furies, now referring to avenging spirits or relentless pursuers of justice.

Eumenides – Another name for the Furies, now referring to avenging spirits.

Euphemism – From the Greek “euphēmismos,” meaning “fair speech,” now used to describe a polite or mild expression for something harsh.

Euphoric – From Euphrosyne, one of the three Graces symbolizing joy, now meaning intense happiness.

Fate – From the Fates, who controlled the destinies of humans, now meaning destiny or predetermined outcomes.

Faun – Roman forest spirits, now referring to a mythical creature with the body of a man and the legs of a goat.

Fauna – From Faunus, the Roman god of animals, now referring to animal life.

Faustian – From the legend of Faust, similar to the myth of making deals with gods or devils, now meaning a dangerous pact or deal.

Flora – The Roman goddess of flowers, now referring to plant life.

Flora and Fauna – Roman goddess of flowers and nature, now referring to plant and animal life.

Floral – From Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers, now describing things related to flowers.

Fortuna – The Roman goddess of fortune, now meaning luck or chance.

Furies – Avenging spirits in Greek mythology, now representing intense, vengeful anger.

Furor – From the Roman Furies, now meaning an outbreak of anger or excitement.

Gaea (Gaia) – The personification of the Earth, now symbolizing the Earth or nature.

Galatea – A statue brought to life by Pygmalion, now symbolizing an idealized female figure.

Geryon – A three-bodied giant defeated by Hercules, now symbolizing something complex or with multiple facets.

Gigantic – From the Greek giants (Gigantes), now meaning extremely large or powerful.

Glaucus – A sea god who had once been a mortal, now meaning sea-related transformations or the unpredictable nature of the sea.

Gordian knot – A complex knot untied by Alexander the Great, now symbolizing an intricate problem solved by a bold solution.

Gorgon – From Medusa and her sisters, whose gaze turned people to stone, now describing something terrifying.

Gorgonize – From the Gorgons, who turned people to stone with their gaze, now meaning to paralyze with fear.

Hades – Greek god of the underworld, now representing death, hell or the underworld.

Halcyon – From Alcyone, who was transformed into a kingfisher, now symbolizing a peaceful or calm period.

Harpies – Winged spirits who tormented mortals, now referring to unpleasant, nagging people.

Harpy – Winged creatures that snatched food, now referring to a nagging or predatory woman.

Hebe – Goddess of youth, now meaning youthful beauty or vitality.

Hecate – Goddess of magic and witchcraft, now used in contexts related to the supernatural or witchcraft.

Heliconian – From Mount Helicon, home of the Muses, now meaning poetic inspiration or something connected to artistic creation.

Helios – The sun god, now meaning anything related to the sun.

Heliotrope – From Helios, the sun god, and the flower that turns towards the sun, now referring to a plant or sun-related phenomena.

Herculean task – From Hercules, known for his immense strength and his 12 labors, now meaning a daunting challenge.

Hercules’ club – A symbol of immense strength or effort, referencing the weapon used by Hercules in his labors.

Hermaphrodite – From Hermaphroditus, a being combining male and female traits, now referring to an organism with both sexes.

Hermetic – From Hermes, associated with secrecy, now meaning airtight or mysterious.

Hesperian – From the Hesperides, nymphs who guarded golden apples, now symbolizing something western or idyllic.

Hesperides – Nymphs who tended the golden apples, now symbolizing a place of rare beauty or bounty.

Hippocampus – A sea creature with the upper body of a horse, now used in biology for a part of the brain.

Hyacinth – From Hyacinthus, a youth loved by Apollo, now representing a flower and symbolizing beauty and sorrow.

Hydra-headed – From the Hydra, a serpent with many heads, now referring to a problem that multiplies when tackled.

Hyperion – A Titan representing light, now meaning something or someone towering and imposing.

Hypnosis – From Hypnos, the god of sleep, now meaning a state of deep relaxation or trance.

Icarian – From Icarus, who flew too close to the sun, now meaning overly ambitious.

Ichor – The ethereal fluid flowing in the veins of the gods, now meaning something precious or life-giving.

Irene – The Greek goddess of peace, now used as a name and symbol of peace.

Iris – The goddess of the rainbow and a messenger, now used as a symbol for color or connection.

Ithaca – The home of Odysseus, now representing a longed-for destination or goal after a long journey.

Ixion – A king punished by being tied to a wheel in Tartarus, now representing unending torment or punishment.

Janitor – From Janus, the two-faced god of doors and transitions, now meaning a caretaker of buildings.

Janus-faced – From Janus, the Roman god of doors and transitions, now describing someone who is two-faced.

Jovial – From Jove (Jupiter), the Roman king of gods, now meaning cheerful or good-humored.

Labyrinth – From the maze that housed the Minotaur, now symbolizing a complicated or confusing situation.

Labyrinthine – From the Labyrinth, where the Minotaur was kept, now meaning complex or maze-like.

Lachesis – One of the Fates who measured the thread of life, now symbolizing destiny or fate.

Lethargy – From the River Lethe, where souls forget their past lives, now meaning sluggishness or drowsiness.

Lethean – From the River Lethe, causing forgetfulness, now meaning something that induces forgetfulness.

Lethean waters – From the River Lethe, now symbolizing forgetfulness or oblivion.

Lotus-eater – From the people in the “Odyssey” who ate lotus flowers and forgot their home, now meaning someone who indulges in pleasure and forgets responsibilities.

Lupine – From the Latin word for wolf, associated with Lupa, the she-wolf who nursed Romulus and Remus.

Lycanthropy – From the myth of Lycaon, who was turned into a wolf, now meaning a mental condition where a person believes they can transform into a wolf.

Maenad – The frenzied followers of Dionysus, now meaning a woman in a state of wild frenzy.

Maia – A nymph and mother of Hermes, now symbolizing warmth, growth, and spring.

Martial – From Mars, the Roman god of war, now referring to warlike or military matters.

Medea – A sorceress who killed her children out of revenge, now symbolizing extreme vengeance or betrayal.

Medea complex – From Medea, who killed her children in revenge, now used in psychology to describe maternal jealousy.

Medean – From Medea, known for her cunning and revenge, now symbolizing ruthless or extreme actions.

Mentor – From Mentor, the wise friend of Odysseus, now meaning a trusted advisor.

Mercurial – From Mercury, the Roman messenger god, now describing someone who is quick and changeable.

Metis – A Titaness representing wisdom and cunning, now used to describe intelligence and strategic skill.

Midas – From King Midas, who turned everything he touched to gold, now meaning a talent for making money or success.

Midas touch – From King Midas, who turned everything he touched to gold, now meaning the ability to make money easily.

Midas-eared – From the story of King Midas, who was given donkey ears, now symbolizing foolishness.

Mnemosyne – Goddess of memory and mother of the Muses, now used to symbolize memory or recollection.

Moirai – The Greek Fates who controlled human destiny, now symbolizing unavoidable destiny or fate.

Morpheus – The god of dreams, now meaning dream-like states or sleep-inducing drugs.

Muse – The nine goddesses of the arts, now meaning a source of inspiration.

Naiad – Water nymphs, now symbolizing a fresh-water or nature-related spirit.

Narcissism – From Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection, now referring to excessive self-love.

Nemean lion – A monstrous lion slain by Hercules, now symbolizing an unbeatable challenge or enemy.

Nemesis – The goddess of retribution or vengeance, now meaning an arch-enemy, an unbeatable adversary or source of downfall.

Nereid – Sea nymphs who helped sailors, now representing beauty and calm in a sea setting.

Nereid – Sea nymphs, daughters of the sea god Nereus, now symbolizing ocean spirits.

Nike – The goddess of victory, now symbolizing success or triumph (e.g., in sports or contests).

Nympholepsy – From the nymphs, a frenzy caused by longing for or obsession with an unattainable ideal.

Oceanic – From Oceanus, the Titan representing the ocean, now referring to something vast or relating to the ocean.

Oceanid – Daughters of Oceanus, now meaning sea spirits or vast oceanic beings.

Odyssey – From Odysseus, known for his long and adventurous journey, now meaning an epic voyage or quest.

Oedipus complex – From the myth of Oedipus, who unknowingly killed his father and married his mother, now used in psychology to describe a child’s unconscious sexual desire for the parent of the opposite sex.

Olympian – From Mount Olympus, the home of the gods, now meaning someone godlike or exceptional.

Oracular – From the oracles who delivered prophecies, now meaning cryptic or prophetic statements.

Orphean – From Orpheus, whose music could charm all beings, now describing something entrancingly musical.

Paean – A hymn of praise to Apollo, now meaning a song or expression of praise.

Palladium – From the statue of Pallas Athena, which protected Troy, now meaning something that provides protection.

Panacea – From Panacea, the goddess of universal remedy, now meaning a solution to all problems.

Pandemic – From Pan, meaning “all,” and demos, “people,” now meaning widespread, as in a disease.

Pandemonium – From Pan, meaning “all demons,” now describing wild uproar or chaos.

Pandora’s box – From Pandora, whose box released all evils into the world, now meaning an action that unleashes problems.

Panic – From Pan, the god of the wild, whose shout could cause sudden fear, now meaning sudden uncontrollable fear.

Parnassian – From Mount Parnassus, home of the Muses, now meaning something related to poetry or literature.

Pegasus – A winged horse born from Medusa’s blood, now symbolizing poetic inspiration, creativity or flights of fancy.

Pelean – From Peleus, the father of Achilles, now symbolizing something connected to great battles or warriors.

Penelope – The faithful wife of Odysseus, now symbolizing fidelity and patience.

Penelope’s web – From Penelope, who wove and unwove a shroud to delay suitors, now meaning a task deliberately never finished.

Phlegethon – A river of fire in the underworld, now symbolizing something destructive or infernal.

Phobia – From Phobos, the personification of fear, now meaning an irrational fear.

Phoebus – Another name for Apollo, god of the sun and light, now symbolizing radiant beauty or illumination.

Plutocratic – From Pluto, god of the underworld and wealth, now meaning wealthy and powerful.

Plutonic – From Pluto, god of the underworld, now meaning something related to the deep interior of the Earth.

Procrustean – From Procrustes, who stretched or cut people to fit his bed, now meaning enforcing conformity in a harsh way.

Procrustean bed – From Procrustes, who stretched or cut people to fit his bed, now meaning arbitrary enforcement of uniformity.

Promethean – From Prometheus, who gave fire to humanity, now meaning boldly creative or defiant.

Promethean fire – From Prometheus, who gave fire to mankind, now symbolizing creative or rebellious power.

Protean – From Proteus, a shape-shifting sea god, now meaning adaptable or changing form.

Psyche – The mortal who became the goddess of the soul, now referring to the human mind or soul.

Pygmalion effect – From Pygmalion, who sculpted an ideal woman, now referring to the phenomenon where higher expectations lead to better performance.

Pythonic – From the Python slain by Apollo, now meaning something related to prophetic or oracular wisdom.

Rhadamanthine – From Rhadamanthus, a strict judge in the underworld, now meaning stern or inflexible judgment.

Saturnine – From Saturn, the Roman god, now meaning gloomy or slow to change.

Sirens – Creatures whose songs lured sailors to destruction, now meaning a dangerously alluring temptation.

Sirens’ call – From the Sirens, who lured sailors to destruction with their songs, now meaning something dangerously tempting.

Sisyphean task – From Sisyphus, doomed to roll a boulder uphill forever, now meaning an endless, futile effort.

Stygian – From the River Styx in the underworld, now meaning dark, gloomy, or infernal.

Tantalize – From Tantalus, who was eternally tempted with unreachable food and drink, now meaning to tease by withholding.

Terpsichorean – From Terpsichore, the Muse of dance, now meaning something related to dance.

Tethys – From the Titaness who ruled the seas, now symbolizing vast bodies of water or ancient oceans.

Titanic – From the Titans, the powerful giants overthrown by the Olympian gods, now meaning enormous or powerful.

(Source: Chat GPT)

• Mythological idioms