poetic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
commonLiterary and formal, but also used in everyday language.
Quick answer
What does “poetic” mean?
Relating to or characteristic of poetry.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to or characteristic of poetry; having the qualities of poetry.
Used to describe language, expression, or anything that is beautifully expressive, imaginative, or evocative in a way that resembles poetry.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Similarly used in both dialects to convey expressiveness and artistic quality.
Frequency
Equally common in British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “poetic” in a Sentence
poetic in stylepoetic about naturepoetic to the earVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “poetic” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Her poetic description of the countryside captivated the audience.
- The play's dialogue is highly poetic.
American English
- His poetic depiction of the landscape amazed the crowd.
- The song's lyrics are deeply poetic.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; may appear in creative industries or marketing to describe evocative language.
Academic
Common in literature, linguistics, and arts disciplines to analyze texts or expression.
Everyday
Used to describe something beautifully expressed or imaginative, e.g., 'That sunset was so poetic.'
Technical
In poetry analysis, refers to specific techniques or styles; in linguistics, may refer to poetic devices.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “poetic”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “poetic”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “poetic”
- Using 'poetic' as a verb, e.g., 'He poeticed the story.' Correct: 'He made the story poetic.' or 'He poeticized the story.'
- Confusing 'poetic' with 'poetical', which is archaic and rarely used.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be used figuratively to describe anything that has the qualities of poetry, such as beauty, expressiveness, or imagination.
'Poetic' is the standard modern adjective; 'poetical' is archaic and rarely used today.
Rarely; in some contexts, 'the poetic' might refer to the quality of being poetic, but it's not common.
You can use it to describe language, art, or experiences that are expressive and beautiful, e.g., 'The sunset was poetic.'
Relating to or characteristic of poetry.
Poetic is usually literary and formal, but also used in everyday language. in register.
Poetic: in British English it is pronounced /pəʊˈɛtɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /poʊˈɛtɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “poetic justice”
- “poetic license”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'poet' + 'ic' – like a poet, it relates to poetry.
Conceptual Metaphor
BEAUTY IS POETIC
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the meaning of 'poetic'?