What does mythical mean?
Mythical is an adjective meaning connected with myths, legends, or traditional stories, especially things that are imagined rather than historically documented. It is frequently used for creatures, heroes, places, objects, and events, as in “mythical creature” or “mythical kingdom.” In modern usage, the word can also describe something idealized or treated as almost legendary, such as a perfect performance or a bygone era. Its meaning ranges from merely fictional to strongly evocative, often suggesting wonder, grandeur, antiquity, or mystery. Mythical is related to the broader ideas of myth and mythology but remains especially useful when describing an individual person, place, creature, or event within a legendary tradition. It is understood similarly in British and American English.
adjectiveRelating to, characteristic of, or believed to exist in myths and legends rather than in historical fact. It can also describe something idealized, imagined, or treated as legendary.
- Existing in or associated with myths, legends, or traditional stories.
- Imagined, idealized, or regarded as legendary rather than historically real.
"The novel depicts a world inhabited by mythical creatures and ancient gods."
"The museum displayed an ancient sculpture of a mythical bird."
"Their reunion became a mythical tale passed down through generations."
Before it described dragons and lost kingdoms, “mythical” simply meant belonging to the world of myth.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mythical come from?
English “mythical” comes through Latin from Greek mythos, meaning “story” or “myth.” The adjective developed from related Greek and Latin forms expressing the idea of belonging to a myth, and it has been used in English since the early modern period. Its relatives include myth, mythology, mythic, and mythological, all sharing the same Greek foundation.
Related word forms
How mythical is actually used
The word is common in both formal and informal English. It can describe characters, places, objects, events, or qualities, and often carries a sense of grandeur, mystery, or idealization in addition to fictionality.
Easily confused with mythical
Mythic is often used for what belongs to myth or embodies the spirit of myth, while mythical more commonly describes something portrayed in a myth or imagined as legendary, although the meanings frequently overlap.