Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to, described in, or based on legends: Something that is "legendary" originates from, is characteristic of, or is suitable for a legend—a traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not verifiable.
   • Remarkably famous or renowned, to the point of becoming like a legend: Describes a person, achievement, or quality that is so celebrated and well-known over time that it has taken on an almost mythical status.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The legendary hero King Arthur is said to have pulled the sword from the stone. (This refers to a figure from traditional stories.)
  • Her legendary patience was admired by everyone in the office. (This describes a quality so famous it has become proverbial.)
  • We visited the legendary city of Troy. (This refers to a place famous from ancient stories.)

Advanced Usage

• "to become legendary": to achieve a level of fame or notoriety so great that one's story is told like a legend.
  • His generosity in the community has become legendary.
• "of legendary proportions": used to emphasize the extraordinary scale or fame of something.
  • The athlete's strength was of legendary proportions.

Variants and Related Words

• Legend (n): A traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but unauthenticated; or an extremely famous or notorious person.
  • The legend of Robin Hood.
• Legendarily (adv): In a way that is related to or characteristic of a legend; famously.
  • He was legendarily stubborn.

Synonyms

• Mythical: Existing only in myths or legends.
• Fabled: Famous, especially by reputation; celebrated in fable.
• Celebrated: Greatly admired; renowned.
• Iconic: Widely recognized and well-established, serving as a symbol.

Antonyms

• Obscure: Not discovered or known about; uncertain.
• Unknown: Not known or familiar.
• Historical (in the sense of verifiable fact): Belonging to the past, as opposed to legend or myth.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Pass into legend: To become so famous that one's story is told like a legend after one's time.
  • His brave actions during the war have passed into legend.
• The stuff of legend: Material or events so extraordinary they seem like they belong in a legend.
  • Their against-all-odds victory was the stuff of legend.

Adjective

1. celebrated in fable or legend
   • the fabled Paul Bunyan and his blue ox
   • legendary exploits of Jesse James
2. so celebrated as to having taken on the nature of a legend
   • the legendary exploits of the arctic trailblazers