poetic

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

Synonyms of poetic

• poetical
• lyrical
• lyric
• poeticized

Examples of poetic in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

That duality runs through the titles—poetic fragments that feel diaristic but open. —Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025

What all of these films have in common is a fidelity to historical accuracy that also finds space for poetic expression — a tricky balance that the movies’ production designers discussed at IndieWire’s craft roundtables. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 16 Dec. 2025

Another way to cut through the noise is to use quantifiable, hard results rather than simply waxing poetic and generic. —William Jones, IndyStar, 12 Dec. 2025

The Nine Circles of Hell come from Dante’s Inferno, a canonical poetic text. —Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing poetic

• poetic justice
• poetic license

Rhymes for poetic

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

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