mythology

1 of 2

noun (1)

my·​thol·​o·​gy mi-ˈthä-lə-jē How to pronounce mythology (audio)
plural mythologies
Synonyms of mythologynext
1
: an allegorical narrative
2
: a body of myths: such as
a
: the myths dealing with the gods, demigods, and legendary heroes of a particular people
b
: mythos sense 2
cold war mythology
3
: a branch of knowledge that deals with myth
4
: a popular belief or assumption that has grown up around someone or something : myth sense 2a
… defective mythologies that ignore masculine depth of feeling …—Robert Bly
mythologer
mi-ˈthä-lə-jər How to pronounce mythology (audio)
noun
mythologist
mi-ˈthä-lə-jist How to pronounce mythology (audio)
noun

mythologist

2 of 2

noun (2)

my·​thol·​o·​gist mə̇ˈthäləjə̇st How to pronounce mythologist (audio)
plural -s
1
: a student of mythology or myths
2
: mythmaker

Synonyms of mythology

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Noun (1)

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Examples of mythology in a Sentence

Noun (1) We have been studying ancient Greek mythology. We compared the two cultures' mythologies. There is a popular mythology that he discovered the cause of the disease by himself.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Rather than relying on supernatural creatures or elaborate mythology, Fears to Fathom builds suspense around seemingly ordinary situations that take increasingly terrifying turns. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026 This one’s for the chocolate lovers who appreciate a little mythology lesson, too. — Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026 Among the items back on Greek soil are black- and red-figure vessels, some with handles, decorated with scenes from Greek mythology, and would have been used in everyday life or as burial offerings. — Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 In the mythology of the steppe, sun, moon, wind, and Tengri—the supreme deity representing the boundless sky—possess as much character and will as living humans and their ancestor spirits. — Yulia Denisyuk, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mythology

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English methologie, mithologie "exposition of a myth, book of myths," borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French mythologie, borrowed from Late Latin mȳthologia (in Mythologiae, title of a myth compilation by Fulgentius, ca. 500), borrowed from Greek mȳthología "fiction, storytelling," from mŷthos "utterance, tale, myth" + -o- -o- + -logia -logy

Noun (2)

Greek mythologos teller of myths or legends (from mythos myth + -logos, from logos word, speech, account) + English -ist

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mythology was in 1603

Rhymes for mythology

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Browse Nearby Words

mythologize
mythology
mythomania
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Cite this Entry

“Mythology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mythology. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

mythology

noun
my·​thol·​o·​gy mith-ˈäl-ə-jē How to pronounce mythology (audio)
plural mythologies
1
: a collection of myths
especially : the myths dealing with the gods and heroes of a particular people
Greek mythology
2
: a branch of knowledge that deals with myths
mythological
ˌmith-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on mythology

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mythology

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