What does eudemon mean?
A eudemon is a good spirit — in ancient Greek belief, a benevolent supernatural being assigned to watch over a person, family, or place and to shape their fortunes for the better. The word comes from Greek eu- ('good') and daimōn ('spirit' or 'divine power'), making it literally a 'good spirit,' the opposite of a malevolent cacodemon. Classical writers such as Socrates, as reported by Plato, described such an inner spirit as a voice steering them away from harm. Today the word survives mainly in scholarly and literary contexts, valued for its precision and classical resonance. It also lies at the root of 'eudaimonia,' the Aristotelian concept of flourishing or true happiness — literally the state of being under the protection of a good spirit.
nounA benevolent spirit or guardian deity believed to watch over a person, place, or people; in ancient Greek belief, a good supernatural being associated with an individual's fortune and well-being.
- In ancient Greek religion and later classical tradition: a benevolent guardian spirit attached to a person, family, or place, influencing their welfare and fortune.
- By extension in literary and philosophical usage: a guiding good influence or protective genius.
"The ancients believed each person was attended from birth by a eudemon who shaped their fortunes for good or ill."
"Socrates spoke of a personal eudemon that warned him away from harmful courses of action."
"The poet imagined the household's eudemon watching silently over its sleeping inhabitants."
Standard English plural; when referring collectively to the Greek spirits, the Hellenizing plural "eudaimones" occasionally appears in scholarly writing.
"The Greeks populated every grove and hearth with unseen eudemons."
The Greeks thought you had your own invisible good spirit assigned at birth — and Aristotle built his entire theory of happiness on its name.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of eudemon
Eudemon derives from the ancient Greek eudaimōn, meaning 'happy' or 'fortunate,' formed from eu- ('good') and daimōn ('spirit, divine power'). It entered English through Latinized forms during the early modern period, alongside related coinages such as eudaimonia and eudaemonism. Its closest English relative is the word 'demon,' which shares the same Greek root but narrowed over time to mean an evil spirit — leaving eudemon as a fossil of the older, neutral sense.
Related word forms
How eudemon is actually used
"Eudemon" is a learned, rare word belonging chiefly to classical studies, philosophy, and literary prose. The spelling "eudaemon" is equally standard and often preferred in British usage. It carries no religious connotation in modern use beyond historical reference to Greek belief.
Easily confused with eudemon
A daemon is any attendant spirit (good or evil) in classical belief, whereas a eudemon specifically denotes a good or beneficent one.
A cacodemon is an evil or malevolent spirit, the direct opposite of a eudemon.