poetic

[ poh-et-ik ]

/ poʊˈɛt ɪk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR poetic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective Also po·et·i·cal.

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.

noun

poetics.

Nearby words

Origin of poetic

1520–30; < Latin poēticus < Greek poiētikós. See poet, -ic

Related forms

po·et·i·cal·ly, adverban·ti·po·et·i·cal, adjectivean·ti·po·et·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·po·et·ic, adjective

pre·po·et·ic, adjectivepre·po·et·i·cal, adjectivepseu·do·po·et·ic, adjectivepseu·do·po·et·i·cal, adjectivequa·si-po·et·ic, adjectivequa·si-po·et·i·cal, adjectivequa·si-po·et·i·cal·ly, adverbun·po·et·ic, adjectiveun·po·et·i·cal, adjectiveun·po·et·i·cal·ly, adverb

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

Examples from the Web for poetic

His mature wit and poetic style drew in those around him and we connected instantly.
Cuban Hip-Hop Was Born in Alamar|Daniel Levin|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nothing but a poetic kind of consciousness could have conceived of anything like this.
Stephen King, “Falling,” and My Father’s Poetry|Christopher Dickey|September 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In a poetic move, Cory is now a middle school teacher himself, following in the footsteps of his mentor, Mr. Feeney.
‘Boy Meets World’ Fans Will Hate ‘Girl Meets World’|Kevin Fallon|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His profound and crippling melancholy, which cast a poetic shadow and moved me almost as much as his accomplishments.
Making Lincoln Sexy: Jerome Charyn’s Fictional President|Tom LeClair|March 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He created himself as a poetic figure, and he thus imposed himself upon the nation.
Making Lincoln Sexy: Jerome Charyn’s Fictional President|Tom LeClair|March 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He had a poetic spirit, and was both vigorous and brilliant.
The World's Great Sermons, Volume 6: H. W. Beecher to Punshon|Various
Yes, certainly, but not because the poetic energy in him was a finer thing than the poetic energy that was in Wither.
The Lyric|John Drinkwater
His style is penetrating and thrilling; his language often rises to the dignity of a poetic eloquence.
Modern Leaders: Being a Series of Biographical Sketches|Justin McCarthy
St. Francis was unlettered, but his mind was poetic and imaginative, his nature gentle and humble.
Tuscan Sculpture of the Fifteenth Century|Estelle M. Hurll
In the Gathas, allowing for the theological and poetic form, everything is human and natural.
History of Religion|Allan Menzies

British Dictionary definitions for poetic

poetic

poetical

/ (pəʊˈɛtɪk) /

adjective

of or relating to poetry

characteristic of poetry, as in being elevated, sublime, etc

characteristic of a poet

recounted in verse

Derived Formspoetically, 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 poetic

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.).