poetical
gb/poʊˈɛtɪkəl/ us/poʊˈɛtɪkəl/
B2
English
~ 25700
költői, költészeti, túl költői, fellengzős
B2
LITERARY
1
költői
B2
költészeti
C1
Usage pattern:
[something] is poetical / poetical [noun]
The collection brings together all of her early poetical works.
A kötet összegyűjti minden korai költői művét.
He wrote a detailed history of English poetical traditions in the nineteenth century.
Részletes történetet írt a 19. századi angol költészeti hagyományokról.
Several of his poetical writings were first published in small literary magazines.
The course will focus on Milton’s poetical career, not his political life.
Her poetical drama was praised for blending theatre and verse in an original way.
Learner examples
The book contains his poetical works from 1990 to 2000.
A könyv az 1990 és 2000 között írt költői műveit tartalmazza.
She is famous for her poetical writings for children.
A gyermekeknek szóló költői írásairól híres.
We studied the poetical language of Shakespeare in class.
He gave a talk on modern poetical traditions.
This library has many old poetical books.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "poetical" instead of the more natural modern word "poetic" in most cases. In everyday English, "poetic" is usually better: say "poetic works" or simply "poems" rather than "poetical works" unless you specifically want an old-fashioned or very literary tone.
Meaning
relating to poetry or poets
Collocations
poetical works
|poetical drama
|poetical diction
|poetical tradition
|poetical writings
|poetical anthology
Synonyms
poetic (More common modern adjective; neutral in style, while "poetical" sounds older or more literary.)
|
verse (Used attributively (e.g. "verse drama"); more technical and specific to writing in lines of poetry.)
Antonyms
prosaic (Describes writing or style that is plain or like prose, not connected with poetry.)
Themes
literature
|art
|arts_entertainment
|education
|communication
Definition
About poetry or the work of poets.
Connected with poetry as a type of literature, or with poets and their work.
C1
LITERARY
2
költői
B2
Usage pattern:
poetical [noun] / [something] is poetical
Her travel writing has a quiet, poetical beauty that stays with you.
Útleírásait csendes, költői szépség jellemzi, amely sokáig megmarad az emberben.
The director created a poetical mood through slow camera movements and soft light.
A rendező lassú kameramozgásokkal és lágy fénnyel költői hangulatot teremtett.
He gave a poetical description of the city at dawn, full of colour and sound.
There is something deeply poetical about the way the film shows everyday life.
The landscape inspired him to write in a more poetical and reflective style.
Learner examples
The movie is very poetical and slow.
A film nagyon költői és lassú.
She uses poetical language to talk about the sea.
Költői nyelven beszél a tengerről.
His letter to her was simple but very poetical.
The music has a soft, poetical feeling.
I like the poetical style of this writer.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "poetical" with "poetic" here as well. In modern English, "poetic" is usually preferred ("poetic language", "poetic description"). "Poetical" sounds more old-fashioned or deliberately literary, so it is best used in formal writing or criticism.
Meaning
beautifully imaginative like poetry
Collocations
poetical language
|poetical description
|poetical imagination
|poetical vision
|poetical sensibility
|poetical mood
Synonyms
lyrical (Stresses strong emotion and musical, flowing language; slightly more common in modern criticism.)
|
romantic (Suggests idealized, emotional beauty, but can also refer to a historical movement or love stories.)
Antonyms
matter-of-fact (Describes language or behaviour that is plain, practical, and not at all imaginative or emotional.)
Themes
art
|emotion
|literature
|arts_entertainment
|communication
|education
Definition
Very beautiful and full of strong feelings or imagination, in a way that is like poetry.
Having a style, mood, or quality that is beautiful, imaginative, and expressive in a way that resembles poetry.
C1
FORMAL
3
túl költői
B2
fellengzős
C1
Usage pattern:
[something] is (too) poetical / a poetical [statement/style]
His account of the battle is a little too poetical to be completely trustworthy.
A csatáról szóló beszámolója kissé túl költői ahhoz, hogy teljesen hiteles legyen.
The ending feels poetical rather than realistic, but some readers may enjoy that.
A befejezés inkább túl költőinek hat, mintsem realisztikusnak, de egyes olvasóknak ez tetszhet.
Critics complained that her speech sounded poetical and vague instead of clear.
The book’s poetical style sometimes gets in the way of the story.
To modern ears, his poetical language can seem old-fashioned and overly romantic.
Learner examples
The film is beautiful but a bit too poetical for me.
A film szép, de nekem egy kicsit túl költői.
His letter was so poetical that it did not feel honest.
A levele annyira fellengzős volt, hogy nem hatott őszintének.
Some students think the writer’s style is too poetical and hard to understand.
Her speech sounded poetical, but it did not say much.
The story has a poetical ending that is not very real.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "poetical" is always positive. In reviews or criticism, it can be mildly negative, implying that the style is too romantic, emotional, or not realistic enough.
Meaning
overly romantic or flowery in style
Collocations
a bit too poetical
|overly poetical
|sound poetical
|rather poetical
|poetical style
|poetical tone
Synonyms
flowery (Suggests language that is too fancy or emotional; a common mild criticism.)
|
sentimental (Emphasizes excessive emotion more than decorative language.)
Antonyms
plain (Language that is simple and direct, without decoration or strong emotion.)
Themes
literature
|evaluation
|emotion
|communication
|arts_entertainment
|education
Definition
Too romantic or pretty in style, so that it does not seem real or natural.
Having a style that is very romantic, idealized, or flowery, often in a way that seems unrealistic or excessive.
Grammar
Dictionary form
poetical
IPA
GB/poʊˈɛtɪkəl/
US/poʊˈɛtɪkəl/
Syllables & stress
po - et - ic - al (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (et)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: poetical
Word family
Expressions
poetical justice
1/poʊˈɛtɪkəl d͡ʒˈʌstɪs/
idiom
literary
punishment that neatly fits the crime
A situation where someone is punished in a way that is very suitable or ironic, matching what they did wrong.
Examples
- It was a kind of poetical justice when the corrupt mayor was exposed by his own lies.
- There is poetical justice in the thief being robbed by his partner in crime.
- The film ends with a moment of poetical justice that satisfies the audience.
poetical works
1/poʊˈɛtɪkəl wˈɚks/
fixed phrase
literary
a writer’s poems and verse
The poems and other writing in verse by a writer.
Examples
- The library has a complete edition of his poetical works.
- In this volume her poetical works are printed together with her letters.