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Definition of mythos

mythos

/ˈmɪθ.oʊs/
my · thos
Adverb:mythically
•
Plural:mythoi
•
Adjective:mythic
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mythos Lexical Profile

mythos Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A set of beliefs, assumptions, or stories that shape the worldview and identity of a culture, group, or fictional universe.

Example

"The author spent decades constructing an intricate mythos to support his series of fantasy novels."

2

In literary criticism and Aristotelian poetics, the overarching plot, narrative structure, or recurrent thematic pattern of a literary work.

Example

"In his analysis of tragedy, Aristotle identified mythos as the most essential element of drama."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for mythos

Word Nuance & Usage

Unlike 'myth', which often refers to a single traditional story or a widely held misconception, 'mythos' denotes an overarching system of interconnected stories, beliefs, and cultural assumptions.

• Nearby Words

mythologize
mythologizer
mythology
mythos
n'djamena
naan
naartjie

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed directly from Ancient Greek 'mythos', meaning 'speech, narrative, report, or story', which also gave rise to the English word 'myth'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mythos. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mythos
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