What does "apollonian" mean?
One who is apollonian.
Apollonian
adj, noun
adj, noun ·5 syllables ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: One who is apollonian.
- Grammar: apollonian is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: apolline, apollo-related, balanced, harmonious.
- Useful contrasts: dionysian, wanton, chaotic.
- Usage evidence: You have your lovers - dusky beaus / Not made of the poetic stuff / That sports an Apollonian nose, / And wears a sleek Byronic cuff.
How to use "apollonian"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "apollonian" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "apollonian" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "apollonian" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "apollonian" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "apollonian" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "apolline" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "apollonian", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 One who is apollonian.
- 2 One who follows/worships Apollo.
"By contrast, Apollonians value reason more than feeling."
- 3 A native of Apollonia.
"But the Apollonians being soon informed of the thing, caused him to appear without delay before the court of justice; and sentenced him to lose his eyes, for sleeping when he ought to have watched."
- 4 A native of the planet Apollo.
"At first, when the Apollonians converged on her, Mary Theresa thought she had made a major mistake by going to the battle."
Adjective
- 1 Of or relating to the ancient Olympian Greek God Apollo. Greek
"You have your lovers - dusky beaus / Not made of the poetic stuff / That sports an Apollonian nose, / And wears a sleek Byronic cuff."
- 2 Clear, harmonious, and restrained.
- 3 Of or relating to the Ancient Greek mathematician Apollonius of Perga.
- 4 Pertaining to Apollonia.
"They speak Aowin [Anyi] but their blood is Apollonian blood."
- 5 Alternative form of apollonian. alt-of, alternative
Show 1 more definition
- 6 The physical property of material that can resume its shape after being stretched or deformed; elasticity.
Antonyms
Example
"You have your lovers - dusky beaus / Not made of the poetic stuff / That sports an Apollonian nose, / And wears a sleek Byronic cuff."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "apollonian"?
Common synonyms include: apolline, apollo-related, balanced, harmonious, ordered, restrained.
How do you use "apollonian" in a sentence?
You have your lovers - dusky beaus / Not made of the poetic stuff / That sports an Apollonian nose, / And wears a sleek Byronic cuff.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Latin Apollō (Apollōn-) + -ian and Apollonius/Apollonia + -an.
Etymology 2
Coined by German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. From German apollinisch (“Apollonian”).