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

He also had a burgeoning acting career, with roles in Juice, Above The Rim and Poetic Justice.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

Poetic ruminations on imprisonment in a foreign land and yearning for a home that may no longer exist are supported by Wally Badarou and Dean Blunt’s entrancing synth score.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 1, 2024

Meanwhile, the bleeding edge of experimental music is explored by duo Freddie Douggie, composed of Ben Lamar Gay and Jayve Montgomery, and genre agnostics Raw Poetic and Damu the Fudgemunk.

From Washington Post • Sep. 21, 2022

This was years before "Finding Forrester" or "Henry Fool;" before scribe Jughead was brooding in "Riverdale" — even before "Poetic Justice" or "Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle."

From Salon • Jul. 8, 2022

“Why, I expect it is like The Three Musketeers, by Mr. Alexandre Dumas. There are four musketeers in it, despite the title. Poetic license, perhaps?”

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood