poetic

[poh-et-ik]

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.

Origin of poetic

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

Related formspo·et·i·cal·ly, adverban·ti·po·et·i·cal, adjectivean·ti·po·et·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·po·et·ic, adjectivepre·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

Related Words for poetic

dramatic, elegiac, epic, idyllic, imaginative, lyric, lyrical, melodious, romantic, tuneful, metrical, rhythmical, anapestic, dactylic, epical, iambic, odic

Examples from the Web for poetic

Contemporary Examples of 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
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
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
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
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

Historical Examples of poetic

Hester was greatly struck with the poetic tone of the remark.
Weighed and Wanting
George MacDonald
"Poetic simile: I'm going fast," conceded Kirkwood; but he did not smile.
The Black Bag
Louis Joseph Vance
I might, perhaps, have some poetic flights, If I could sleep o' nights!
Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 12, June 18, 1870
Various
It was while the poetic gentleman was passing by Taffy's house.
Welsh Fairy Tales
William Elliott Griffis
As specimens of his poetic contributions, we give the following.
Cleveland Past and Present
Maurice Joblin

British Dictionary definitions for poetic

poetic

poetical

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

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.).