Word
mythic
Phoneticsmyth·ic, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmɪθɪk/
UK/mˈɪθɪk/
Definition
adj. relating to ancient stories about gods and heroes, or something so famous and impressive that it feels like a legend.
adj. relating to or resembling a myth; existing in traditional stories rather than real life. Often describes something that has attained legendary status or exaggerated importance in a culture.
Examples
“The hero had mythic strength and courage.”
“The founder of the company has achieved a mythic status among the employees, with many stories told about his early days.”
“The film transforms a simple journey into a mythic quest, drawing on ancient archetypes to give the protagonist's personal struggle a sense of universal significance.”
Examples
simple
“The hero had mythic strength and courage.”
contextual
“The founder of the company has achieved a mythic status among the employees, with many stories told about his early days.”
complex
“The film transforms a simple journey into a mythic quest, drawing on ancient archetypes to give the protagonist's personal struggle a sense of universal significance.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun; often interchangeable with 'mythical' in literal contexts but preferred for describing legendary status.
Real-World Examples
“After a detour into mythic fantasy, the author of the Booker-winning A Brief History of Seven Killings returns to Jamaica.” “Given that most of what we come to know about Vargas is itself a series of fictions, it perhaps makes better sense to frame Nina’s miraculous survival as similarly mythic.” Etymology
1660s; from Latin mȳthicos or Ancient Greek μυθικός (muthikós); equivalent to myth + -ic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/mythic