# winged word

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/winged-word
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A word or statement which is very apt for an occasion, or memorable.

## Examples

- She chose a winged word that perfectly described the situation.
- During his retirement speech, he shared a winged word that captured the essence of his long career.
- The poet was famous for his ability to craft a winged word, leaving his audience deeply moved by the precision and beauty of his language.

## Origin

A calque of the Ancient Greek ἔπεα πτερόεντα (épea pteróenta), a phrase frequently employed by Homer, the figure to whom the Iliad and Odyssey are attributed. He is said to have been born circa 750 B.C.E., though the specifics of his biography remain a matter of some debate. The construction derives from ἔπεᾰ (épeă), the plural of ἔπος (épos), signifying something spoken such as a song or speech, and πτερόεντα (pteróenta). The latter is the plural of πτερόεις (pteróeis), meaning feathered or winged, itself formed from πτερόν (pterón), a feather or wing, and the suffix -εις (-eis), indicating a quality possessed thoroughly. The image suggests words that, once released, take flight toward their listener. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.