mythical

Everyday

1. Found in myths and legends, not real: a mythical creature like a dragon or unicorn. tree →
2. Imagined or made up, believed in but not true: a mythical «perfect day». tree →

In the lessons

In stories and English lessons, mythical creatures are dragons, unicorns, the phoenix, mermaids and the kraken. In history and religious education, it describes stories from Greek, Norse and other myths. In everyday talk people use it jokingly for something that seems never to exist: «the mythical tidy bedroom».

Examples

• The dragon is a mythical creature that breathes fire. tree →
• We made a poster of mythical beasts from Greek stories. tree →
• The unicorn is Scotland's national animal, even though it is mythical. tree →
• Pegasus is a mythical horse with wings. tree →
• My dad talks about the mythical day when he will clean the garage. tree →
• The kraken is a mythical sea monster. tree →
• Is the Loch Ness monster real or mythical? tree →
• Troyan is also the name of a mythical king who often figures in Slavonic legends. tree →

Note

Comes from «myth». Similar words: legendary, imaginary, fictional. A trap: «legendary» can also mean very famous (a legendary footballer), but «mythical» usually means not real. Do not confuse with «mystical», which is about spiritual or magical mystery.