mythology
mi-THOL-uh-jee
/mɪˈθɒlədʒi/
A collection of myths belonging to a particular religious or cultural tradition, or the study of such myths.
While often used colloquially to mean 'falsehood,' in an academic sense, it refers to a structured system of stories that explain a culture's worldview.
The story behind the word. The word comes from the Greek 'mythos' (story) and 'logos' (account or study). Originally, 'mythos' meant any kind of speech or story, but over time, it came to specifically represent the traditional tales of gods and heroes that were distinct from historical or scientific accounts.
Word relationships
- lore: Lore is more informal and often refers to traditional knowledge passed down orally.
- tradition: Tradition is broader, including customs and rituals, not just stories.
- fact: Fact refers to something proven to be true, whereas mythology focuses on symbolic truth.
Commonly confused with
- mythos: Mythology is the study or the whole collection; mythos is the underlying pattern or set of beliefs.
Word family
- mythological (adjective): Relating to mythology.
- mythologist (noun): A person who studies mythology.
Collocations
- classical mythology
- comparative mythology
- Norse mythology
- mythology of
Example sentences
- "The study of Greek mythology reveals much about the values and fears of ancient Athenian society." Literature and Culture
- "In his book, Joseph Campbell explores the common threads found in mythology across disparate global civilizations." Comparative Religion
Memory hook
Think of 'Myth-O-Logy' as the 'Logic of Myths'—the systematic way we organize and study ancient stories. The logic of the legend.
When not to use
Avoid using it to describe a single, short story; use 'myth' instead. Do not use it to dismiss someone's current religious beliefs as 'fake.'
Fun facts
- J.R.R. Tolkien coined the term 'mythopoeia' to describe the act of creating a new mythology for a fictional world.
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