poetic

American  

[poh-et-ik] / poʊˈɛt ɪk /

adjective

1. possessing the qualities or charm of poetry.

   poetic descriptions of nature.

2. of or relating to a poet or poets.

3. characteristic of or befitting a poet.

   poetic feeling; poetic insight.

4. endowed with the faculty or feeling of a poet.

   a poetic eulogist.

5. having or showing the sensibility of a poet.

   a poetic lover.

6. of or relating to poetry.

   poetic literature.

7. of the nature of or resembling poetry.

   a poetic composition; poetic drama; poetic imagination.

8. celebrated in poetry, as a place.

9. providing a subject for poetry.

10. of or relating to literature in verse form.

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noun

1. poetics.

poetic British  

/ pəʊˈɛtɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to poetry

2. characteristic of poetry, as in being elevated, sublime, etc

3. characteristic of a poet

4. recounted in verse

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Other Word Forms

• antipoetical
  adjective
• nonpoetic
  adjective
• prepoetic
  adjective
• prepoetical
  adjective
• pseudopoetic
  adjective
• pseudopoetical
  adjective
• quasi-poetic
  adjective
• quasi-poetical
  adjective
• unpoetic
  adjective
• unpoetical
  adjective
• antipoetically
  adverb
• poetically
  adverb
• quasi-poetically
  adverb
• unpoetically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of poetic

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin poēticus, from Greek poiētikós; equivalent to poet + -ic

Explanation

Anything poetic either relates to the art of poetry or has the romantic images of poetry. A great speech can be poetic. An orange-red sunset at the beach can also be poetic. The word poetic comes from the Greek poietikos for "pertaining to poetry." A poetic drama is one written in verse. Anything romantic or lyrical is also poetic. A painter’s use of colors could be poetic. Poetic justice happens when you set a trap to catch a rabbit but get caught in it yourself. If you get carried away with a metaphor, you use poetic license. Don’t try to drive with it! Poetic language doesn’t get you out of any tickets.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

poetic

I had also recently waxed poetic about compound butter during a live discussion on summer entertaining.

From Salon ● Aug. 1, 2026

At Oxford, Auden, after considering a scientific career, reaffirmed his poetic vocation but graduated only with an unimpressive third-class degree.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

Mr. Ackroyd is admiring of Auden’s poetic accomplishment, from his recondite early work to the later, more conversational and religiously inspired verses that some critics have disliked.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

I’ve waxed poetic about pre-chopped onions as a doorway to weeknight cooking.

From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026

This means the grand, the small, the bizarre, the poetic, the beautiful, the ugly, the surprising.

From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven