What does "mythology" mean?
The collection of myths of a people, concerning the origin of the people, history, deities, ancestors and heroes.
Mythology
/mɪˈθɒl.ə.d͡ʒi/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The collection of myths of a people, concerning the origin of the people, history, deities, ancestors and heroes.
- Grammar: mythology is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: adventure story, allegory, ancient civilization myths, ancient myths.
- Useful contrasts: documented fact, empiricism, fact.
- Usage evidence: For some reason economic booms have names taken from Japanese mythology given to them.
How to use "mythology"
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Meaning check
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- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "mythology" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "mythology" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The collection of myths of a people, concerning the origin of the people, history, deities, ancestors and heroes. countable, uncountable
"Now the great obstacle in tracing the identity of any of the basic forms of worship lies in the vast number of names which appear in the ancient idolatries and mythologies, creating the illusion of a miscellany of gods, whereas many of these different names refer to the same deity. Thus the sun has been personified and worshipped under as many different names as there are nations on the surface of the earth."
- 2 the study of myths wordnet
- 3 A similar body of myths concerning an event, person or institution. countable, uncountable
"This program to distinguish Austria from Germany was important to building a new Austria, but it also indirectly contributed to victim mythology by implying that participation in the Nazi war of conquest was antithetical to Austrian identity."
- 4 myths collectively; the body of stories associated with a culture or institution or person wordnet
- 5 Pervasive elements of a fictional universe that resemble a mythological universe. countable, uncountable
"This tongue-in-cheek episode is especially fun for people who don’t take their “X-Files” mythology seriously."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 The set of misconceptions and false attitudes that are held about something and contribute to its perception. countable, uncountable
"Straight people who do not know, or do not know that they know, any gays, can accept all the mythology about us that is paramount in the propaganda of our enemies."
- 7 The systematic collection and study of myths. uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"For some reason economic booms have names taken from Japanese mythology given to them."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "mythology"?
Common synonyms include: adventure story, allegory, ancient civilization myths, ancient myths, ancient wisdom, apologue.
How do you use "mythology" in a sentence?
For some reason economic booms have names taken from Japanese mythology given to them.
How do you pronounce "mythology"?
Pronounced /mɪˈθɒl.ə.d͡ʒi/.
Etymology
First attested as Middle English in 1412. From Middle French mythologie, from Latin mythologia, from Ancient Greek μυθολογία (muthología, “legend”) μυθολογέω (muthologéō, “to tell tales”), from μυθολόγος (muthológos, “legend”), from μῦθος (mûthos, “story”) + λέγω (légō, “to say”). By surface analysis, myth + -ology or mytho- + -logy.