mythology

noun

my·​thol·​o·​gy mi-ˈthä-lə-jē 

plural mythologies

1

: an allegorical narrative

2

: a body of myths: such as

a

: the myths dealing with the gods, demigods, and legendary heroes of a particular people

b

: mythos sense 2

cold war mythology

3

: a branch of knowledge that deals with myth

4

: a popular belief or assumption that has grown up around someone or something : myth sense 2a

… defective mythologies that ignore masculine depth of feeling …

—Robert Bly

mythologer

mi-ˈthä-lə-jər 

noun

mythologist

mi-ˈthä-lə-jist 

noun

Synonyms of mythology

• folklore
• tradition
• lore

Examples of mythology in a Sentence

We have been studying ancient Greek mythology.

We compared the two cultures' mythologies.

There is a popular mythology that he discovered the cause of the disease by himself.

Recent Examples on the Web

But conversely, in the case of Barrie’s mythology, Peter’s survival is predicated on his access to adult power, key to his rivalry with Captain Hook, and an ideal of white purity. —Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025

For many fans who raced between venues to claim a drink, the night became an instant chapter in the city’s music mythology — a chaotic, communal celebration born from a disappointment that could have easily overshadowed a landmark homecoming. —Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 15 Nov. 2025

The mysterious figure has become an iconic legend across the region, with enthusiasts dedicated to searching for Bigfoot, and draws upon Native American mythology, the museum noted. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 14 Nov. 2025

Perhaps the reason that the Revolution is so drenched in mythology and bloodless gallantness is that there are no photographs. —Daniel D'addario, Variety, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English methologie, mithologie "exposition of a myth, book of myths," borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French mythologie, borrowed from Late Latin mȳthologia (in Mythologiae, title of a myth compilation by Fulgentius, ca. 500), borrowed from Greek mȳthología "fiction, storytelling," from mŷthos "utterance, tale, myth" + -o- -o- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mythology

• anthology
• apology
• astrology
• biology
• christology
• chronology
• conchology
• cosmology
• cryptology
• cytology
• doxology
• ecology

Kids Definition

mythology

noun

my·​thol·​o·​gy mith-ˈäl-ə-jē 

plural mythologies

1

: a collection of myths

especially : the myths dealing with the gods and heroes of a particular people

Greek mythology

2

: a branch of knowledge that deals with myths

mythological

ˌmith-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl

adjective