saga
/ˈsɑːɡə/
NOUN
1. Traditional Norse historical narrative
A long prose narrative originating in medieval Iceland and Scandinavia, typically recounting the histories, adventures, genealogies, and legendary deeds of families, heroes, or historical figures.
1.1. Old Norse literature and family history
Refers to traditional Icelandic and Norse prose narratives that preserve the histories, genealogies, adventures, and legendary events of families, clans, or important historical figures.
Synonyms
Examples
- The medieval Icelandic saga recounts the adventures and conflicts of a powerful family.
- Scholars studied the ancient saga to understand the genealogy of Norse settlers.
- The family's generational saga unfolded through a series of historical accounts.
Related Words
- Icelandic literature
- Norse mythology
- Viking
- folklore
- ancestry
- genealogy
- medieval literature
- heroic legend
NOUN
2. A long, detailed, or eventful story
An extended narrative or account describing a series of events, adventures, experiences, or complications, often involving multiple episodes, characters, or generations.
2.1. Extended literary and fictional narratives
Describes a lengthy, often elaborate fictional or imaginative story that unfolds across multiple episodes, volumes, generations, or interconnected events.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- snippet
- fragment
- brief
Examples
- In the library, I found an intriguing fantasy saga with multiple volumes.
- The historical saga chronicled the epic events of a bygone era.
- The author published a sweeping family saga spanning several generations.
Related Words
- fiction
- plot
- protagonist
- adventure
- storytelling
- character
- novella
- literature
2.2. A prolonged series of events or experiences
Refers to a long and often complicated sequence of real-life events, personal experiences, disputes, or adventures that develops into an elaborate story, sometimes involving unexpected twists and difficulties.
Synonyms
Examples
- Our road trip became a memorable saga filled with unexpected twists.
- The legal dispute turned into a lengthy saga that lasted for years.
- The family's financial troubles became a complicated saga involving several generations.
Related Words
- experience
- incident
- complication
- misadventure
- controversy
- dispute
- drama
- episode
2.3. Ongoing dramatic story or serialized events
Describes a continuing sequence of dramatic, emotional, or complicated developments, particularly in television dramas, soap operas, or situations that repeatedly produce new conflicts and plot twists.
Synonyms
- soap opera
- drama
- storyline
- narrative
- serial
- episode
Examples
- The soap opera continued its dramatic saga with new plot twists each week.
- The ongoing family saga kept viewers interested through several seasons.
- Their relationship became a dramatic saga filled with unexpected developments.
Related Words
- plot twist
- melodrama
- television series
- conflict
- suspense
- cliffhanger
- story arc