poetic

/poʊˈɛdɪk/

/pəʊˈɛtɪk/

Anything poetic either relates to the art of poetry or has the romantic images of poetry. A great speech can be poetic. An orange-red sunset at the beach can also be poetic.

The word poetic comes from the Greek poietikos for "pertaining to poetry." A poetic drama is one written in verse. Anything romantic or lyrical is also poetic. A painter’s use of colors could be poetic. Poetic justice happens when you set a trap to catch a rabbit but get caught in it yourself. If you get carried away with a metaphor, you use poetic license. Don’t try to drive with it! Poetic language doesn’t get you out of any tickets.

Definitions of poetic

1. adjective

   of or relating to poetry
   “poetic works”

   “a poetic romance”

   synonyms: poetical
2. adjective

   characteristic of or befitting poetry
   “poetic diction”

   synonyms: poetical

   rhetorical

   given to rhetoric, emphasizing style at the expense of thought
3. adjective

   of or relating to poets
   “poetic insight”
4. adjective

   characterized by romantic imagery
   “Turner's vision of the rainbow...was poetic”

   synonyms:

   figurative, nonliteral

   (used of the meanings of words or text) not literal; using figures of speech