epic

UK: /ˈɛpɪk/ US: /ˈɛpɪk/ ,(ep′ik)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ep•ic /ˈɛpɪk/   adj. 

1. Poetry of or relating to an epic.
2. of unusually great size or extent:
   an earthquake of epic dimensions.

n. [countable]

3. Poetry a long poem in a formal style, usually about heroic events or great adventure.
4. a novel, film, etc., resembling or suggesting an epic.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ep•ic  (ep′ik), adj. 

Also, ep′i•cal. 
1. Poetry noting or pertaining to a long poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of great achievements or events is narrated in elevated style:
   Homer's
   Iliad is an epic poem.
2. Poetry resembling or suggesting such poetry:
   an epic novel on the founding of the country.
3. heroic;
   majestic;
   impressively great:
   the epic events of the war.
4. of unusually great size or extent:
   a crime wave of epic proportions.

n. 

5. Poetry an epic poem.
6. Poetry epic poetry.
7. Poetry any composition resembling an epic.
8. something worthy to form the subject of an epic:
   The defense of the Alamo is an American epic.
9. Language Varieties (cap.) Also called Old Ionic. the Greek dialect represented in the Iliad and the Odyssey, apparently Aeolic modified by Ionic.

• Greek epikós. See epos, -ic
• Latin epicus
• 1580–90

ep′i•cal•ly, adv.
ep′ic•like′, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

epic / ˈɛpɪk/ noun

1. a long narrative poem recounting in elevated style the deeds of a legendary hero, esp one originating in oral folk tradition
2. the genre of epic poetry
3. any work of literature, film, etc, having heroic deeds for its subject matter or having other qualities associated with the epic
4. a real-life episode in which heroic deeds are performed or attempted

adjective

1. denoting, relating to, or characteristic of an epic or epics
2. of heroic or impressive proportions

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin epicus, from Greek epikos, from epos speech, word, song