ode

1 of 2

noun

ˈōd 

plural odes

1

: a lyric poem usually marked by exaltation of feeling and style, varying length of line, and complexity of stanza forms

Keats's ode "To a Nightingale"

2

: something that shows respect for or celebrates the worth or influence of another : homage

The museum would be an ode to visual storytelling, drawn from the director's collection of film ephemera and fine art.

—Chanan Tigay

The recipe is an ode to my homeland, Vietnam, and I'd like to share it with my new friends in America.

—Gourmet

odist

ˈō-dist 

noun

-ode

2 of 2

noun combining form

1

: way : path

electrode

2

: electrode

diode

Examples of ode in a Sentence

Noun

This poem is titled, “An Ode to My Mother.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In his new book of poems, Quesada seamlessly blends intimate confessions with odes to surreal paintings. —James Factora, Them, 1 Nov. 2024

Fittingly, his outfit was an ode to a jab from one of his wife's costars. —Julia Moore, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024

Megan's nails were also an ode to Starfire, with a translucent purple base shaped into sharp stiletto points and bedazzled with rhinestone-and-ruby decals on the center of each nail to mimic the jeweled medallions on the collar and waistline of her lavender bodysuit. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 30 Oct. 2024

The documentary is also an ode to the loyal fans that follow boy bands. —Lexi Carson, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin, from Greek ōidē, literally, song, from aeidein, aidein to sing; akin to Greek audē voice

Noun combining form

Greek -odos, from hodos

First Known Use

Noun

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

ode

1 of 2 noun

ˈōd 

: a lyric poem that expresses a noble feeling with dignity

-ode

2 of 2 noun combining form

ˌōd

1

: way : path

electrode

2

: electrode

diode

Etymology

Noun combining form

derived from Greek hodos "way, path"