mythical

or myth·ic

[ mith-i-kuh l or mith-ik ]

/ ˈmɪθ ɪ kəl or ˈmɪθ ɪk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR mythical ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

pertaining to, of the nature of, or involving a myth.

dealt with in myth, as a prehistoric period.

dealing with myths, as writing.

existing only in myth, as a person.

without foundation in fact; imaginary; fictitious: The explanation was entirely mythical.

Nearby words

Origin of mythical

1670–80; < Late Latin mȳthicus < Greek mȳthikós of myths (see myth, -ic) + -al¹

Related forms

myth·i·cal·ly, adverbmyth·i·cal·ness, nounnon·myth·i·cal, adjectivenon·myth·i·cal·ly, adverb

pre·myth·i·cal, adjectivepseu·do·myth·i·cal, adjectivepseu·do·myth·i·cal·ly, adverbqua·si-myth·i·cal, adjectivequa·si-myth·i·cal·ly, adverbsem·i·myth·ic, adjectivesem·i·myth·i·cal, adjectivesem·i·myth·i·cal·ly, adverbun·myth·i·cal, adjectiveun·myth·i·cal·ly, adverb

Can be confusedmythical mythological

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for mythical

As a child, he worshipped leaders like Malcolm X and remembers having imagining Africa as a mythical place.
Death Metal Angola: Heavy Metal in War-Torn Africa|Nina Strochlic|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Bulbous columns, winding staircases, and whimsical bas-reliefs of mythical creatures wrap around the palace.
The Postman Who Built a Palace in France…by Hand|Nina Strochlic|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The notion of a “spread”—the mythical Texas ranch that every Texas cowboy hopes for—fueled his imagination.
‘The Harness Maker’s Dream:’ The Unlikely Ranch King of Texas|Nick Kotz|September 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The philosopher, Plato, linked Santorini with the mythical lost city of Atlantis that sank beneath the waves.
Book a Room for Two in a Santorini Cave|Joanna Eede|June 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I can see why the original name of this mythical island was Kallisti—“the most beautiful one.”
Book a Room for Two in a Santorini Cave|Joanna Eede|June 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Do you know I began to fear you were mythical—that I'd dreamed you.
Rose of Dutcher's Coolly|Hamlin Garland
It is said to have been founded by the mythical hero Yudisthira, and is connected by tradition with the monkey-god Hanuman.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 6|Various
We may readily be told that the belief in a good God is as mythical as the tales about bad gods.
The World of Homer|Andrew Lang
Augustus Smith lingered in my memory as a vague, mythical creature of no account.
The Belovd Vagabond|William J. Locke
What famous persons, historical or mythical, do these objects suggest?
Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium|Jessie H. Bancroft

British Dictionary definitions for mythical

mythical

mythic (ˈmɪθɪk)

/ (ˈmɪθɪkəl) /

adjective

of or relating to myth

imaginary or fictitious

Derived Formsmythically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for mythical

mythical

adj.

1670s; see mythic + -al (1).

mythical

or myth·ic

adjective

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of mythical

Examples from the Web for mythical

mythical

mythic (ˈmɪθɪk)

adjective

mythical