mythopoeic

American  

[mith-uh-pee-ik] / ˌmɪθ əˈpi ɪk /

Also mythopoetic

adjective

1. of or relating to the making of myths; causing, producing, or giving rise to myths.

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mythopoeic British  

/ ˌmɪθəʊˈpiːɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the composition of myths; productive of myths

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Other Word Forms

• mythopoeism noun
• mythopoeist noun

Etymology

Origin of mythopoeic

1840–50; < Greek mȳthopoi ( ós ) making tales ( mȳtho- mytho- + -poios making ( poi ( eîn ) to make + -os adj. suffix) + -ic

Explanation

Anything mythopoeic is related to the creation of foundational cultural stories. These stories usually feature heroes or gods, and while not historically or scientifically "true," they capture profound human truths. The adjective mythopoeic is often used to describe modern works of epic fantasy that appeal to many people because they effectively express a culture’s core values. However, the word also applies to the study and recording of ancient and indigenous literature and sacred stories. The word stems from the Greek mythopoios, meaning "myth-making," from mytho-, "myth," and poiein, "to make."

Example Sentences

More than three decades after his final game—a pain-wracked cameo in the United States’s gold-medal win over Croatia in the 1992 Olympics—Larry Bird retains a mythopoeic quality.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

Gloria Steinem’s New York is a bit like everyone’s: a mythopoeic territory at the intersection of real estate, restaurants and workaholism, with bits of love, sex and ambition thrown in.

From New York Times • Oct. 10, 2016

The whole so-called Celtic fringe, of areas in the west and north of Great Britain that were not invaded by the Saxons, is far more genetically diverse than its mythopoeic appellation suggests.

From Economist • Mar. 18, 2015

“He understood the mythopoeic nature of our performance better than anyone else I’ve worked with in the contemporary circus.”

From Seattle Times • Aug. 2, 2013

A somewhat higher stage of mythopoeic development is represented by peoples of Oceania and North America.

From Introduction to the History of Religions Handbooks on the History of Religions, Volume IV by Jastrow, Morris