Definition of Epic An epic is a long narrative poem that is elevated and dignified in theme, tone, and style. As a literary device, an epic celebrates heroic deeds and historically (or even cosmically) important events. An epic usually focuses on the adventures of a hero who has qualities that are superhuman or divine, and on whose very fate often depends on the destiny of a tribe, nation, or sometimes the whole of the human race. The Iliad, the Odyssey, and the Aeneid are considered the ... Epic Definition of Epic The word epic is derived from the Ancient Greek adjective, “epikos”, which means a poetic story. In literature, an epic is a long narrative poem, which is usually related to heroic deeds of a person of an unusual courage and unparalleled bravery. In order to depict this bravery and courage, the epic uses grandiose style. Uncover the meaning of " Epic " slang! Learn how to use this popular word in real-life conversations with examples to sound like a native speaker. EPIC meaning : 1. a film, poem, or book that is long and contains a lot of action, usually dealing with a…. Learn more.