What does myth mean?
A myth is a traditional story, particularly one that explains natural phenomena, human customs, or the actions of gods and supernatural beings. In modern English, the word is also widely used for a belief or idea that has become culturally familiar but is false, misleading, or unsupported by evidence, as in phrases such as "debunk a myth" and "the myth of effortless success." This figurative use often implies that the belief has been repeated so often that it is accepted without question. A myth may be sacred, symbolic, or merely entertaining, and it can express a culture’s values as much as it records events. The word is related to mythology, the larger body of myths held by a society, and to adjectives such as mythical and mythic. Used as a verb, myth means to treat something as legendary or to distort its history by turning it into a false or legendary account.
A traditional story, especially one concerning gods, supernatural beings, or the origins of the world; also, in modern usage, a widely held belief that is regarded as false or unsupported.
"The myth of the moon rabbit reflects a traditional attempt to explain the markings on the moon."
The figurative sense is common when discussing misconceptions, stereotypes, or popular beliefs.
To treat something as a myth or legendary belief, especially by misrepresenting its history or origin.
"The advertisement mythed the company’s modest beginnings as the beginning of a long-established institution."
The verb is relatively uncommon and is usually critical or dismissive.
The plural is used for individual traditional stories, figures of speech involving myths, or separate false beliefs, as in "many myths circulate about the topic."
"The exhibition brought together myths from traditions around the world."
The word myth originally meant any story or account; the idea of a sacred tale about gods is only one of the meanings it acquired over time.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does myth come from?
The word comes from Greek mythos, meaning "word, story, or account," and entered English through Latin forms such as mythus. Its earliest English uses could refer to a story or account in a relatively broad sense, including historical narrative. Over time, the word became associated especially with traditional stories about gods and supernatural beings, before its modern figurative sense developed for widely believed but false ideas.
Related word forms
How myth is actually used
In contemporary English, myth is especially common in figurative or debunking contexts, as in "a popular myth" or "debunk a myth." It is not a precise synonym for every falsehood: a myth usually has a recognizable cultural, traditional, or widely repeated character. The verb is much less common and often carries a critical or dismissive tone.
Easily confused with myth
A myth is traditionally a sacred or explanatory story involving gods or supernatural forces, whereas a legend is generally a traditional story presented as historical, though the two can overlap.
A myth is an individual story or belief, while mythology is a body or system of myths belonging to a particular culture or tradition.