mythical

adjective

myth·​i·​cal ˈmi-thi-kəl 

variants or mythic

ˈmi-thik 

1

: based on or described in a myth especially as contrasted with history

2

usually mythical : existing only in the imagination : fictitious, imaginary

constructed a mythical all-star team

3

usually mythic : having qualities suitable to myth : legendary

the twilight of a mythic professional career

—Clayton Riley

mythically

ˈmi-thi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• fabled
• fabulous
• legendary

Choose the Right Synonym for mythical

fictitious, fabulous, legendary, mythical, apocryphal mean having the nature of something imagined or invented.

fictitious implies fabrication and suggests artificiality or contrivance more than deliberate falsification or deception.

fictitious characters

fabulous stresses the marvelous or incredible character of something without necessarily implying impossibility or actual nonexistence.

a land of fabulous riches

legendary suggests the elaboration of invented details and distortion of historical facts produced by popular tradition.

the legendary exploits of Davy Crockett

mythical implies a purely fanciful explanation of facts or the creation of beings and events out of the imagination.

mythical creatures

apocryphal implies an unknown or dubious source or origin or may imply that the thing itself is dubious or inaccurate.

a book that repeats many apocryphal stories

Examples of mythical in a Sentence

Hercules was a mythical hero who was half man and half god.

gods fighting in a mythical battle in the sky

The sportswriters picked a mythical all-star team.

The benefits of the new policy proved to be mythical.

Recent Examples on the Web

This relic of constitutional law, which the Supreme Court hasn’t taken seriously since its quiet death in the New Deal era, is more mythical than historical—holding, more or less, that Congress cannot delegate its lawmaking power to another branch of government. —Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025

This name originates from a Greek myth. Eunice: Another historic Greek name, the mythical Eunice was the sea-nymph daughter of Nereus and Doris. —Lydia Wang, Parents, 8 Apr. 2025

No one was talking about Crane Kenney’s mythical wheelbarrow of money, Ricketts’ empty wallet, Hoyer’s future or where Tucker will play next year. —Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025

Hollywood has always been obsessed with the Beatles — partly because there’s never been a movie anywhere near as popular or mythical as the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

mythical, from Late Latin mȳthicus "of myth, legendary" (borrowed from Greek mȳthikós, from mŷthos "utterance, tale, myth" + -ikos -ic entry 1) + -al entry 1; mythic, borrowed from Late Latin mȳthicus

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

mythical

adjective

myth·​i·​cal ˈmith-i-kəl 

variants or mythic

ˈmith-ik 

1

: based on, described in, or being a myth

Hercules is a mythical hero

2

: existing only in the imagination : imaginary

the author created a mythical town

mythically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb