1. a descriptive word or phrase expressing a quality or characteristic of a person or thing
2. an abusive or contemptuous word or phrase used to describe someone
Usage: often offensive

Examples

• Homer often used epithets like ‘swift-footed Achilles’ in his epic poems.
• The phrase ‘the Great’ became an epithet for Alexander.
• Richard the Lionheart earned his epithet through his military prowess.
• The angry customer hurled epithets at the store manager.
• Racial epithets have no place in civilized discourse.
• The poet’s use of epithets helped readers visualize the characters.
• She was known by the epithet ‘Iron Lady’ throughout her political career.