The word "olympian" is spelled with three syllables: /oʊˈlɪm.pi.ən/. The first syllable starts with the long "o" sound as in "toe" followed by the "l" consonant sound. The second syllable has the short "i" sound as in "pin" and the third syllable ends with the "an" sound. The word is capitalized when referring to an athlete who has participated in the Olympic Games. As an adjective, it refers to something related to the ancient Greek gods or the Olympic Games themselves.
Olympian, as a noun, refers to a participant or competitor in the Olympic Games. The Olympic Games are a major international sporting event featuring various sports and disciplines, held every four years and attracting athletes from all around the world. Olympians are individuals who have achieved the honor and distinction of representing their respective countries on this global stage. They possess exceptional athletic skills, and their participation in the Olympics signifies their dedication, talent, and hard work in their chosen sport.
As an adjective, Olympian describes something or someone that is grand, majestic, or beyond ordinary. It conveys a sense of grandeur, greatness, or superiority. In this context, Olympian can refer to gods or goddesses of ancient Greece, situated atop Mount Olympus, the mythical dwelling place of the gods. Consequently, Olympian can suggest a divine or godlike quality, majestic or awe-inspiring in nature.
Moreover, when used figuratively, Olympian can imply a sense of distance, aloofness, or detachment. It refers to a person who possesses a calm and composed demeanor, seemingly unaffected by mundane matters or emotional turmoil. This usage suggests an individual who possesses an elevated perspective, unaffected by petty concerns, seeing the bigger picture, or understanding the world from a higher vantage point.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "olympian" derives from the noun "Olympian" which refers to a person connected to the ancient Greek gods, particularly Zeus, who were worshiped at Mount Olympus. The term comes from the Greek word "Olympios" (Ὀλυμπιος) which means "pertaining to Olympus". In Greek mythology, the Olympic gods were considered to be the most powerful and influential deities, residing in Mount Olympus and governing various aspects of human life. The adjective form "olympian" emerged in English during the 17th century, describing something majestic, noble, or godlike. Over time, the term has been associated with greatness, excellence, or superiority in various aspects, such as sports and achievements.