# mythos

/mˈɪθəʊz/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mythos
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

a set of stories, beliefs, or ideas that belong to a specific culture or group. It often includes legends and traditions that explain how the world works.

For teachers: a body of stories, beliefs, and traditions that belong to a particular culture or group. Often used to describe the collective narrative framework of a specific society or fictional universe.

## Examples

- The Greek mythos includes many famous stories about gods and heroes.
- The author built a rich mythos for his fantasy world, complete with ancient prophecies and forgotten gods.
- While the individual myths may vary, the underlying mythos of the culture provides a shared set of values and explanations for the natural world.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.