Quality-approved learning entryAdjectiveLevel C1

episch

epic

Belonging to the literary genre of narrative poetry or displaying its characteristic features.

IPA/ˈeːpɪʃ/

The German pronunciation of “episch” follows the stress pattern described in the German note.

Search another word

Meaning 1formal · 90%

Belonging to the literary genre of narrative poetry or displaying its characteristic features.

Natural examples

Das Werk verbindet lyrische Passagen mit epischen Elementen.

Die epische Erzählweise schafft große zeitliche Distanz.

Im Seminar werden epische, dramatische und lyrische Formen verglichen.

Usage note

In literary studies, episch is a technical term and not automatically evaluative. It contrasts with lyrical and dramatic.

Useful combinations

epische Dichtung — epic poetry

epische Erzählweise — epic narrative style

Mini-lesson: episch: sense 1 in use

Belonging to the literary genre of narrative poetry or displaying its characteristic features. In literary studies, episch is a technical term and not automatically evaluative. It contrasts with lyrical and dramatic.

Check your learning

Choose one answer.

What does “episch” express here?

Meaning 2informal · 87%

Exceptionally large, impressive, or monumental in scale, effect, or staging.

Natural examples

Der Film endet mit einer epischen Schlachtsequenz.

Vom Gipfel bot sich ein epischer Blick über das Tal.

Die Feier entwickelte sich zu einem epischen Abend.

Usage note

This modern extension is evaluative and often informal. It means grand or monumental without necessarily referring to the literary genre.

Useful combinations

epische Schlacht — epic battleepischer Ausblick — epic view

Mini-lesson: episch: sense 2 in use

Exceptionally large, impressive, or monumental in scale, effect, or staging. This modern extension is evaluative and often informal. It means grand or monumental without necessarily referring to the literary genre.

Check your learning

Choose one answer.

What does “episch” express here?