ENGLISH
REFERENCE

mythical

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈmɪθəkəɫ// UK //mˈɪθɪkəl// myth·i·cal

adj. relating to ancient stories about gods and heroes, or describing something that is famous but not actually real.

adj. relating to or occurring in traditional stories that explain natural or social phenomena; alternatively, existing only in the imagination or being fictitious.


SIMPLE

The unicorn is a mythical creature.

CONTEXTUAL

The documentary explores whether the city of Atlantis was a real place or just a mythical location created by Plato.

COMPLEX

While the hero's journey is a common theme in mythical narratives, modern authors often subvert these ancient tropes to reflect contemporary social anxieties and psychological complexities.

Synonyms
Origin

From Latin mȳthicos + -al; by surface analysis, myth + -ical.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun; often contrasted with 'historical' or 'factual'.

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