épopée

epic, epic tale

noun eh-poh-PEH Rare

Origin: Greek epopoiia, from epos (verse) + poiein (to make)

Also means

epic adventure, extraordinary experience

Usage Note

Épopée designates a long heroic narrative poem, such as Homer's works or La Chanson de Roland. In modern French it is used figuratively for any remarkable and eventful journey or undertaking: une épopée sportive (a sporting epic). The related adjective épique (epic) is used more broadly and colloquially.

Examples

"L'Iliade est l'une des plus grandes épopées de l'Antiquité."

Natural Translation

The Iliad is one of the greatest epics of Antiquity.

Free starter pack

Building your French vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common French words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

En, Au, Aux: French Prepositions for Countries

Use en for feminine countries, au for masculine, aux for plural, and à for cities. Full French preposition rule for countries, with a lookup table and traps.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

Telling Time in French: Hours, Quarters, 24-Hour

Telling time in French means Il est cinq heures, et quart, et demie, and the 24-hour clock like quatorze heures trente. Read any French schedule.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

French Noun Gender: Rules to Guess Right 80%

Guess French noun gender right 80% of the time using word endings: -age, -ment, -eau are masculine; -tion, -té, -ette are feminine. A high-yield system.

June 3, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

The Bonjour Rule: French Etiquette for Visitors

Always say bonjour before you ask, order, or pay in France — the unspoken rule that opens every door. A respectful visitor's guide to French etiquette.

June 4, 2026 6 min read