Definition

Adjective: 1. Relating to or based on myths; legendary: Pertaining to the stories, themes, or characters found in traditional mythology. 2. Imaginary or fictitious; not based on fact: Describing something that is invented or fantastical and lacks a basis in historical reality or verifiable evidence.

Usage and Examples

• Describing characters or beings from myths:

  • The mythologic tales of ancient Greece feature gods like Zeus and heroes like Hercules.
  • Dragons are common mythologic creatures in stories from many cultures.

• Describing something as invented or unreal:

  • His account of the event was so exaggerated it seemed almost mythologic.
  • The supposed lost city was dismissed by scholars as a mythologic concept.

Advanced Usage

• In academic or literary analysis: Used to discuss the symbolic or narrative elements derived from mythology within a work.
  • The poet uses mythologic imagery to explore themes of creation and destruction.
• As a synonym for "fabulous" or "legendary" in a figurative sense: Can describe something so extraordinary it seems like it belongs in a myth.
  • The athlete's strength was almost mythologic in the stories told by his fans.

Variants and Related Words

• Mythological (adjective): An identical variant in meaning and usage.
  • She is an expert in mythological studies.
• Mythology (noun): A collection of myths, or the study of myths.
  • Greek mythology is a popular subject in literature.
• Myth (noun): A traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining a natural or social phenomenon.
  • The myth of Persephone explains the changing seasons.

Synonyms

• Legendary: Described in or based on legends.
• Fabulous: Resembling or told of in fables; incredible.
• Fictitious: Not real or true; imaginary.
• Chimerical: Hoped for but illusory or impossible to achieve.

Antonyms

• Historical: Belonging to the past; of or concerning history or past events.
• Factual: Concerned with what is actually the case.
• Real: Actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact.
• Authentic: Of undisputed origin; genuine.

Adjective

1. based on or told of in traditional stories; lacking factual basis or historical validity
   • mythical centaurs
   • the fabulous unicorn