1 poetic | Definition of poetic

poetic

adjective
po·​et·​ic | \ pƍ-ˈe-tik How to pronounce poetic (audio) \

Definition of poetic

1a : of, relating to, or characteristic of poets or poetry
b : given to writing poetry
2 : written in verse
3 : having or expressing the qualities of poetry (as though aesthetic or emotional impact) her poetic beauty

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Synonyms & Antonyms for poetic

Synonyms

bardic, lyric, lyrical, poetical, poeticized

Antonyms

prosaic, prose, unlyrical, unpoetic

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Examples of poetic in a Sentence

your description of the sun setting over the Grand Canyon was a particularly poetic piece of writing

Recent Examples on the Web

His lyrics are often quite poetic; themes might range from love to political commentary or social messages. Lauren Daley, BostonGlobe.com, "Damian Marley brings his beats to Levitate fest in Marshfield," 10 July 2019 There are no symbolic or poetic references to the eternal sea. Calvin Tomkins, The New Yorker, "Vija Celmins’s Surface Matters," 26 Aug. 2019 Both novels are lush and poetic; both nod to the West’s bloody history, yet hover vaguely, and gorgeously, above it. The Economist, "TĂ©a Obreht’s “Inland” blends the supernatural and the old West," 15 Aug. 2019 There’s something special about Derry Girls — exactly the kind of stuff that Erin waxes poetic about in her diaries and her swooning voiceovers. Alex Abad-santos, Vox, "Netflix’s Derry Girls is the best teen show out right now," 14 Aug. 2019 Picasso was a master of both the playful and the poetic — sometimes inscrutably so. San Diego Union-Tribune, "Review: ‘A Weekend With Pablo Picasso’ is as playful and probing as ever in reprise of solo play at New Village Arts," 13 Aug. 2019 The aim is something that is fresh and poetic but also accurate. Aysha Khan, Houston Chronicle, "Omid Safi’s ‘Radical Love’ recenters Sufi poetry within Islam," 16 June 2018 After his first victory in 2014, Modi tried to assuage critics by waxing poetic on economic development and strides in renewable energy projects. Fortune, "What is Article 370?," 8 Aug. 2019 Ashton Eaton waxes poetic about the value of an Olympic medal. oregonlive.com, "With his attempt to get U.S. citizenship hung up, might Edward Cheserek run for Kenya? Oregon track & field rundown," 24 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'poetic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of poetic

1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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More Definitions for poetic

poetic

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of poetic

: of, relating to, or characteristic of poets or poetry
: having a beautiful or graceful quality

poetic

adjective
po·​et·​ic | \ pƍ-ˈe-tik How to pronounce poetic (audio) \
variants: or poetical \ -​i-​kəl \

Kids Definition of poetic

: of, relating to, or like that of poets or poetry poetic words

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More from Merriam-Webster on poetic

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with poetic

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for poetic

Spanish Central: Translation of poetic

Nglish: Translation of poetic for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of poetic for Arabic Speakers