trilogy
Word family
- trilogiesnounC2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
Trilogy, series, set, collection, and cycle all describe groups of related works, but they differ in number and narrative structure. A trilogy always means exactly three works that together tell one complete story — for example, the three Lord of the Rings books. A series can be any number (three, ten, or more) and does not require a single overarching plot; each instalment may be a standalone adventure. Set and collection are more general — they describe any group of items brought together without implying a story connection. A cycle is a series of works that return to the same themes or characters across generations, like the Arthurian legends. If you need exactly three connected novels or films that form one story, use trilogy; for four or more, use series.
Common collocations
Etymology
Trilogy comes from the Greek word 'trilogia,' a combination of 'tri-' (three) and 'logos' (story or discourse). In ancient Athens, it referred to a set of three tragedies performed together at a festival. The word passed through Latin and later French into English, where it is first recorded in the early 1800s.