mythical

adjective

myth·​i·​cal ˈmi-thi-kəl 

variants or mythic

ˈmi-thik 

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

mythically

ˈmi-thi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of mythical

• legendary
• fabled

Choose the Right Synonym for 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.

fictitious characters

fabulous stresses the marvelous or incredible character of something without necessarily implying impossibility or actual nonexistence.

a land of fabulous riches

legendary suggests the elaboration of invented details and distortion of historical facts produced by popular tradition.

the legendary exploits of Davy Crockett

mythical implies a purely fanciful explanation of facts or the creation of beings and events out of the imagination.

mythical creatures

apocryphal implies an unknown or dubious source or origin or may imply that the thing itself is dubious or inaccurate.

a book that repeats many apocryphal stories

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 on the Web

The dark minimalist interior features a neon art depicting the mythical Korean tiger wearing a traditional man’s black hat. — Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026

Together, three generations of naturalists wait in blinds for the appearance of lynx, deer, owls, and the near-mythical capercaillie. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026

The American supermarket, with its endless array of products and innovations like the shopping cart and barcodes, has achieved an almost mythical status around the world. — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026

Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley was not conducting drills for a mythical win in a practice that will never find its way to his coaching record. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

mythical

adjective

myth·​i·​cal ˈmith-i-kəl 

variants or mythic

ˈmith-ik 

1

: based on, described in, or being a myth

Hercules is a mythical hero

2

: existing only in the imagination : imaginary

the author created a mythical town

mythically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb