ode

IPA/əʊd/
KK[ˈod]IPA/əʊd/

ode — noun

  • odesingular
  • odesplural

1. A formal poem written in an elevated style that expresses deep praise or admirat

1.nounB2
Definition

A formal poem written in an elevated style that expresses deep praise or admiration for a specific person, place, occasion, or idea.

Example

At the literary festival, the poet Dahlia read an ode to the changing seasons.

ode + to + [subject]

Ingrid wrote an ode to her grandmother for the school poetry competition.

Common collocations
  • write an ode
  • compose an ode
  • ode to
  • ode in praise of
Synonyms
  • poem

    a more general term; an ode is a specific type of poem with a praising tone

  • lyric

    also a type of poem expressing personal feelings, but usually shorter and less formal than an ode

Grammar Patterns

ode + to + [person/thing]

Usage Note

Often followed by 'to' and the name of the subject being praised, as in 'ode to a nightingale' or 'ode to joy'.

Common Mistakes

The singer gave an ode at the concert.
The singer performed a song in praise of her fans at the concert.
An ode is a written poem, not a casual song or performance.

2. Any creative piece — a film, song, speech, painting, or other work — meant to ho

2.nounB2
Definition

Any creative piece — a film, song, speech, painting, or other work — meant to honor or show deep admiration for a particular person, place, or thing.

Example

The documentary was an ode to the musicians who created the city's jazz scene.

an ode to + [thing being honored]

Bilal's painting served as an ode to the landscape of his childhood home.

Common collocations
  • an ode to
  • serve as an ode
  • heartfelt ode
  • cinematic ode
Synonyms
  • tribute

    a more general word for anything that shows respect or admiration; less formal and not tied to poetry

  • homage

    similar meaning but slightly more formal, often used for works that honor an artist or style

  • celebration

    focuses on joyful praise rather than formal respect

Grammar Patterns

an ode + to + [person/thing]

Usage Note

This sense extends the idea of a poetic ode to any medium. Unlike sense 1, the work does not have to be a poem; it can be a film, speech, painting, or even a physical space.

Common Mistakes

The chef created an ode pasta dish.
The chef created a pasta dish as an ode to her Italian grandmother.
'Ode' needs a connection to the thing being honored; it is not a standalone adjective for a type of dish.

Word family

  • odes
    noun pluralB2
  • odic
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

While all four words describe types of literary works in verse, they differ in purpose and structure. A poem is the broadest term — any piece of writing in verse. An ode is a formal, exalted poem that praises someone or something, such as Keats's 'Ode to a Nightingale'. A lyric is a shorter poem expressing personal emotion, not necessarily praising anything. A sonnet is a 14-line poem with a strict rhyme scheme, often about love. An elegy is a mournful poem written to lament someone's death. For example, you would write an ode to celebrate a wedding anniversary, a sonnet to express romantic love, and an elegy to honor a friend who has passed away.

ode ↗poem ↗lyric ↗sonnet ↗elegy ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • an ode to
  • in ode form

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'ode' entered English from French 'ode', which came from Latin 'ōda', borrowed from the Greek 'ōidē' (ᾠδή), meaning 'song'. The Greek root 'aeidein' means 'to sing'. In ancient Greece, an ode was originally a poem meant to be sung with musical accompaniment. Over time, the musical element faded, and the term came to refer to any formal poem of praise.

First known use

1538

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1