poetic

1 of 2

adjective

po·​et·​ic pō-ˈe-tik 

1

a

: of, relating to, or characteristic of poets or poetry

b

: given to writing poetry

2

: written in verse

3

: having or expressing the qualities of poetry (as through aesthetic or emotional impact)

poetic language

her poetic beauty

poetic

2 of 2

less common variant of poetics sense 1b

Synonyms of poetic

Adjective

• poetical
• lyrical
• lyric
• poeticized

Examples of poetic in a Sentence

Adjective

your description of the sun setting over the Grand Canyon was a particularly poetic piece of writing

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This film weaves that footage with new images of his exile, a poetic documentary essay that refuses the urgency of breaking news. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

Combining archival and original footage, and blurring the categories of documentary essay and the poetic avant-garde, Pelechian’s visionary works revolve around a grand recurring theme of humankind’s tumultuous relationship to the natural world. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026

Fried practices art history and criticism as a poetic, almost magical endeavor. — Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026

Like an act of poetic atonement, America sent the great-great-great-great-grandson of a slave back, as a diplomat, to the country whence his ancestor had been kidnapped. — Anne Haley, Time, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing poetic

• poetic justice
• poetic license

Rhymes for poetic

• thetic
• acetic
• aesthetic
• ascetic
• athletic
• cosmetic
• diegetic
• eidetic
• emetic
• esthetic
• frenetic
• genetic

Kids Definition

poetic

adjective

po·​et·​ic pō-ˈet-ik 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of poets or poetry

poetic words

2

: written in verse

poetical

-i-kəl

adjective

poetically

-k(ə-)lē

adverb