mythical

adjective myth·i·cal \ ˈmi-thi-kəl \

variants: or mythic play \-thik\

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: mythical in a Sentence

Definition of mythical

1 : based on or described in a myth especially as contrasted with history

2 usually mythical : existing only in the imagination : fictitious, imaginary

constructed a mythical all-star team

3 usually mythic : having qualities suitable to myth : legendary

the twilight of a mythic professional career
—Clayton Riley

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mythically

play \-thi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See mythical defined for English-language learners

See mythical defined for kids

Examples of mythical in a Sentence

Hercules was a mythical hero who was half man and half god.
gods fighting in a mythical battle in the sky
The sportswriters picked a mythical all-star team.
The benefits of the new policy proved to be mythical.

Recent Examples of mythical from the Web

This isn't the mythical case of car companies and oil companies conspiring to put a lid on electric vehicles.

— mark phelan, chicagotribune.com, "Where are the plug-in SUVs? Automakers ignore what buyers want," 12 June 2018
And maybe, just maybe, an update on the possibly mythical Final Fantasy VII Remake (or even Final Fantasy XVI).

— chaim gartenberg, The Verge, "How to follow every keynote at E3 2018," 8 June 2018
Two of the world’s best rock climbers coped with frightening falls and the deaths of two fellow climbers on the same rock in a month-long quest to shatter a mythical record in Yosemite National Park.

— Fox News, "Masters of rock: Climbers at California's Yosemite shatter El Capitan's speed record," 6 June 2018
This isn’t the mythical case of car companies and oil companies conspiring to put a lid on electric vehicles.

— mark phelan, Detroit Free Press, "Where are the electric SUVs? Automakers ignore what buyers want," 6 June 2018
Inside, while Carrie covets a pair of mythical Manolo Blahnik Mary Janes, Julian pulls down his pants and stands with his hands on hips—wearing nothing but a pair of black Versace underwear.

— samantha leach, Glamour, "Revisiting the Sex and the City #MeToo Episode Nobody Talks About," 6 June 2018
For those who are still head-over-heels in love with those mythical beasts, Walmart has unveiled its own line of magical cosmetic products.

— lauren rearick, Teen Vogue, "Walmart Debuts Unicorn Beauty Line From Hallu," 21 Apr. 2018
The mythical beasts being smote by the roleplaying adventures are larger-than-life puppets designed by Zach Broome of the renowned UConn Puppet Arts program.

— christopher arnott, courant.com, "'She Kills Monsters' At CT Rep Enlivened By Impressive Puppets," 26 Mar. 2018
Legend holds that a mysterious sea monster that resembles the famed Lock Ness monster - this one named Altamaha-ha - lives in the coastal waters off Georgia and locals were quick to say Warren had found the mythical beast.

— leada gore, AL.com, "Mystery sea creature washes up on Georgia beach," 20 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mythical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of mythical

mythical, from Late Latin mȳthicus "of myth, legendary" (borrowed from Greek mȳthikós, from mŷthos "utterance, tale, myth" + -ikos ¹-ic) + ¹-al; mythic, borrowed from Late Latin mȳthicus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1610

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

mythical Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of mythical

fictitious, fabulous, legendary, mythical, apocryphal mean having the nature of something imagined or invented. fictitious implies fabrication and suggests artificiality or contrivance more than deliberate falsification or deception.