Helen of Troy

noun phrase

ˌhe-lən-əv-ˈtrȯi How to pronounce Helen of Troy (audio)
: the wife of Menelaus whose abduction by Paris brings about the Trojan War

Examples of Helen of Troy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tom Holland plays their son, Telemachus; Lupita Nyong’o plays Helen of Troy. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 May 2026 Nolan has also double cast Lupita N’yongo as both Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra, which people are angry about in a baseline racist way. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 23 June 2026 These critics lamented not only Page's participation, but the choice of Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026 Director Nolan has confirmed that Kenyan Mexican actress Lupita Nyong’o is playing Helen of Troy in his upcoming blockbuster film version of Homer’s epic. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for Helen of Troy

Word History

First Known Use

1510, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Helen of Troy was in 1510

Rhymes for Helen of Troy

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Browse Nearby Words

helenium
Helen of Troy
Heleocharis
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Cite this Entry

“Helen of Troy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Helen%20of%20Troy. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on Helen of Troy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Helen of Troy

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