poetic
[poh-et-ik]
- possessing the qualities or charm of poetry: poetic descriptions of nature.
- of or relating to a poet or poets.
- characteristic of or befitting a poet: poetic feeling; poetic insight.
- endowed with the faculty or feeling of a poet: a poetic eulogist.
- having or showing the sensibility of a poet: a poetic lover.
- of or relating to poetry: poetic literature.
- of the nature of or resembling poetry: a poetic composition; poetic drama; poetic imagination.
- celebrated in poetry, as a place.
- providing a subject for poetry.
- of or relating to literature in verse form.
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Origin of poetic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
dramaticelegiacepicidyllicimaginativelyriclyricalmelodiousromantictunefulmetricalrhythmicalanapesticdactylicepicaliambicodicExamples from the Web for poetic
Contemporary Examples
His mature wit and poetic style drew in those around him and we connected instantly.
Nothing but a poetic kind of consciousness could have conceived of anything like this.
In a poetic move, Cory is now a middle school teacher himself, following in the footsteps of his mentor, Mr. Feeney.
His profound and crippling melancholy, which cast a poetic shadow and moved me almost as much as his accomplishments.
He created himself as a poetic figure, and he thus imposed himself upon the nation.
Historical Examples
Hester was greatly struck with the poetic tone of the remark.
Weighed and WantingGeorge MacDonald
"Poetic simile: I'm going fast," conceded Kirkwood; but he did not smile.
The Black BagLouis Joseph Vance
I might, perhaps, have some poetic flights, If I could sleep o' nights!
It was while the poetic gentleman was passing by Taffy's house.
Welsh Fairy TalesWilliam Elliott Griffis
As specimens of his poetic contributions, we give the following.
Cleveland Past and PresentMaurice Joblin
poetic
poetical
- of or relating to poetry
- characteristic of poetry, as in being elevated, sublime, etc
- characteristic of a poet
- recounted in verse
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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 poetic
adj.
1520s, from poet + -ic, or else from or influenced by Middle French poetique (c.1400), from Latin poeticus, from Greek poietikos "pertaining to poetry," literally "creative, productive," from poietos "made," verbal adjective of poiein "to make" (see poet). Related: Poetics (1727). Poetic justice "ideal justice as portrayed in plays and stories" is from 1670s. Poetic license attested by 1733.
Earlier adjective was poetical (late 14c.); also obsolete poetly (mid-15c.). Related: Poetically (early 15c.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper