Viking
UK: ˈvaɪkɪŋ | US: ˈvaɪkɪŋ
n. 1. A member of the Scandinavian seafaring warriors who raided and traded across Europe during the 8th–11th centuries.
n. 2. (informal) A person embodying adventurous or exploratory spirit.
The word "Viking" derives from Old Norse víkingr, where vík means "inlet" or "bay," referring to the coastal origins of these seafarers, and -ingr denotes "one belonging to." The term originally described Scandinavian pirates or raiders who operated from hidden coves. Over time, it evolved to represent the broader Norse explorers, traders, and settlers of the Viking Age. The logic ties their identity to their maritime lifestyle—literally "people of the bays."
The Viking longships were feared for their speed and agility.
Modern archaeologists study Viking artifacts to understand their culture.
She embraced her inner Viking by sailing solo across the Atlantic.
The Viking expansion reached as far as North America.
Legends of Viking warriors often exaggerate their brutality.