# Norse

/ˈnɔɹs/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/norse
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

relating to the people, language, or stories of ancient Scandinavia, especially the Vikings.

For teachers: relating to medieval Scandinavia, its inhabitants, or their language and mythology. Often used to describe the cultural and historical period of the Vikings.

## Examples

- The museum has a large collection of Norse artifacts.
- Many modern English words, such as 'sky' and 'window', actually come from Old Norse roots.
- Scholars of medieval literature often compare the structural complexity of Norse sagas to the epic poetry found in other Germanic traditions of the same era.

## Usage notes

- Typically used as a proper adjective and should be capitalized.

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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.