Antipoetic

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Characterized by qualities that oppose or contradict the essence, beauty, or elevated language typically associated with poetry
2. Contrasted with the traditional beauty and depth of poetry, this term refers to works or expressions that lack lyrical qualities or emotional resonance
3. Describing an approach that dismisses the artistic values commonly found in poetic forms, this denotes a blunt and unornamental style

Etymology: "Antipoetic" is a plain combination of two existing English elements: the prefix "anti-", from Greek "anti" meaning "against" or "opposite", and "poetic", the adjective from "poetry." Put together, the word simply means "opposed to what is poetic," describing language or qualities that work against the lyrical, the beautiful, or the elevated. The prefix is the more productive half of the pair. English has long attached "anti-" to nouns and adjectives to mark opposition, so "antipoetic" follows the same pattern as words like "antiheroic" or "anticlimactic," which were built the same way. The base "poetic" itself comes from Greek "poiētikos," meaning "creative" or "productive," from "poiein," "to make."

Synonyms: prosaic, unpoetic, mundane, ordinary, commonplace

Antonyms: poetic, lyrical, romantic, imaginative, artistic