Definition

Noun: 1. The study of myths: The academic discipline concerned with the collection, analysis, and interpretation of myths from various cultures. 2. Myths collectively; the body of stories associated with a culture, institution, or person: A collection of traditional stories, often involving supernatural beings or events, that explain the origins, values, and beliefs of a specific group.

Examples

• As the study of myths:
  • She has a degree in mythology and folklore.
  • Comparative mythology reveals common themes across different ancient cultures.
• As a body of stories:
  • Greek mythology is filled with stories of gods, heroes, and monsters.
  • The company's founding mythology about starting in a garage inspires its employees.

Advanced Usage

• "To enter into mythology": To become the subject of legendary stories or widely believed but unverified accounts.
  • His heroic actions during the war have entered into mythology.
• "Personal mythology": The set of stories and beliefs a person constructs about their own life and identity.
  • The artist's personal mythology heavily influenced her paintings.

Variants and Related Words

• Mythological (adj): Relating to or found in mythology.
  • Hercules is a mythological hero.
• Mythologist (n): A scholar or expert in mythology.
  • The mythologist gave a lecture on Norse creation stories.

Synonyms

• Folklore: The traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community.
• Legend: A traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated.
• Lore: A body of traditions and knowledge on a subject or held by a particular group.

Related Phrases

• Mythology surrounding [something/someone]: The collection of stories and beliefs that have grown up about a particular subject or person, which may not be entirely factual.
  • There is a lot of mythology surrounding the early days of the film industry.

Noun

1. the study of myths
2. myths collectively; the body of stories associated with a culture or institution or person