What does "saga" mean?

1. (a long, complicated series of events) a long story about a series of events, often involving many people or a long time. 2. (Old Norse legend) a traditional story from the Middle Ages about heroes and history in Iceland or Norway.

How do you use "saga"?

Often used with 'the whole' or 'the entire' to emphasize how long or annoying a situation is.

saga

US //ˈsɑɡə// UK //sˈɑːɡɐ// saga

1 a long, complicated series of events (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a long story about a series of events, often involving many people or a long time.

a long and complicated series of events or a detailed account of them, often used to describe family histories or dramatic situations.

Example

The whole saga of moving house took six months and caused a lot of stress.

Example

The family saga spans three generations, detailing their rise from poverty to becoming one of the most influential dynasties in the country.

Usage

Often used with 'the whole' or 'the entire' to emphasize how long or annoying a situation is.
2 Old Norse legend (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Literary

a traditional story from the Middle Ages about heroes and history in Iceland or Norway.

a medieval Icelandic or Norse prose narrative involving historical or legendary figures and family histories.

Example

In school, we read a famous saga about a Viking hero and his travels.

Example

Scholars continue to debate the historical accuracy of the Icelandic sagas, weighing oral tradition against archaeological evidence.

Teacher's tip

When used in this historical sense, it is often capitalized as 'Saga'.