poetically
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /pəʊˈɛtɪkli/
US
- /poʊˈɛtɪkli/
Description
- in a way like poetry
- beautifully and imaginatively
- in a lyrical way
- with artistic feeling
- in an expressive way
To describe something as happening "poetically" is not just about rhymes or formal verse, though it can be connected to them. It means something is expressed with beauty, feeling, and imagination. Think of a sunset that seems to paint the sky in rich colors, or a story told in a way that feels full of vivid images and emotion.
It suggests an artistic way of seeing or describing something, often going beyond plain facts. A quiet moment between two people might feel poetically perfect, and even a sad or chaotic scene can be described poetically if it is shown with beauty, depth, or strong feeling. It is often about the mood and the way something is expressed, not only the event itself.
"Poetically" is an adverb that describes something being done, said, or seen in a way that is like poetry. It does not only refer to rhyme or meter. More often, it suggests beauty, imagination, deep feeling, and careful expression. The word is common in writing and speech, but it can also describe music, movement, scenes in nature, or even the way a moment in life seems full of meaning.
Consider a dancer moving poetically across the stage. The movement is not just technical; it feels graceful, expressive, and full of meaning. Or imagine rain falling poetically on a windowpane, making an ordinary scene feel quiet, sad, and beautiful at the same time. In these cases, the word points to a special kind of beauty that feels thoughtful and emotionally rich.
The word does not necessarily mean something is literally written as a poem. A person might speak poetically by using images, comparisons, and graceful language to express feelings in a memorable way. A film might show a scene poetically by focusing on mood and symbolism instead of only action. An old photograph might capture a moment poetically, preserving not just how it looked, but how it felt.
Sometimes, "poetically" also suggests that something is seen in a slightly idealized or romantic way. It can lift an ordinary thing into something more striking through expressive language, strong imagery, or gentle symbolism. In short, if something is presented with the beauty, feeling, and imagination we often connect with poetry, it can be described as happening poetically.
Examples
- 1
Creative writing
He writes poetically about the sea.
- 2
Tour guide
The guide described the ruins poetically, as if each stone had a story.
- 3
Literary style
The novel treats grief poetically rather than realistically.
- 4
Figurative speech
Poetically speaking, the old bridge is the town's memory.
Phrase
poetically speaking
using a metaphor, not speaking literally
- 5
Film ending
The documentary ends poetically, with the first spring flowers growing through the snow.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- poeticallyadverb