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

Derived Forms

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

American leaders usually take that moment of deserved honor and gratitude to pay homage to the dead and wax poetic about the values and the ideals for which they died.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

It would be a poetic way to bow out, whether the title is won or not.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

But the journey there is richly rendered through Harris’ poetic sensibility.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

It’s a chronicle of race history in the late 19th and 20th centuries, with all the unpleasantness, and yet it is an act of poetic aspiration, resignation and bravura aesthetics.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

The musical forms, phrases, harmonies and the poetic structure reveal a great deal of material apart from the content of the lyrics.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin