myth
A traditional story which embodies a belief regarding some fact or phenomenon of experience, and in which often the forces of nature and of the soul are personified; a sacred narrative regarding a god, a hero, the origin of the world or of a people, etc.
Noun 4 meanings
A traditional story which embodies a belief regarding some fact or phenomenon of experience, and in which often the forces of nature and of the soul are personified; a sacred narrative regarding a god, a hero, the origin of the world or of a people, etc.
Such stories as a genre.
“Myth was the product of man's emotion and imagination, acted upon by his surroundings. (E. Clodd, Myths & Dreams (1885), 7, cited after OED)”
A commonly-held but false belief, a common misconception; a fictitious or imaginary person or thing; a popular conception about a real person or event which exaggerates or idealizes reality.
“Scientists debunk the myth that gum stays in the human stomach for seven years.”
A person or thing held in excessive or quasi-religious awe or admiration based on popular legend
“Father Flanagan was legendary, his institution an American myth. (Tucson (Arizona) Citizen, 20 September 1979, 5A/3, cited after OED)”
Etymology
From Ancient Greek μῦθος (mûthos, “word, humour, companion, speech, account, rumour, fable”). Attested in English since 1830. Doublet of mythos.
Similar and opposite words
MYTH at a glance
MYTH has 4 letters and scores 12 points in Scrabble (M 3 + Y 4 + T 1 + H 4) and 11 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #6,169 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with myth
All rhymes- ACOLYTH15
- COUNTERMYTH21
One letter away
- MATH9
- METH9
- MOTH9
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