verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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General-American:/juˈhiməˌɹaɪz/
Received-Pronunciation:/juːˈhiːməˌɹaɪz/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
1
verb
Meaning 1
To invent a plausible but fanciful historical origin for something in order to rationalize mythology and legends.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: ambitransitive, derogatory
Examples
Near-synonyms: demythologize (sometimes synonymous), undeify (synonymous when personages are the direct objects)
Confucian scholars frequently euhemerized the myths used to explain religious rituals to the public.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: demythologize, undeify[personage]]s are the direct objects>
Antonyms: none provided
2
verb
Meaning 2
To create mythology and legends from ancient historical figures and events.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: ambitransitive
Examples
Near-synonym: deify (synonymous when personages are the direct objects)
The Yellow Emperor was perhaps euhemerized from a prehistoric tribal leader.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: mythologize, deify[personage]]s are the direct objects>
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From euhemerism + -ize, ultimately from Latin Euhēmerus, from Ancient Greek Εὐήμερος (Euḗmeros), an ancient Greek Sicilian Skeptic who proposed most or all mythology derived from historical figures and natural events which received supernatural characteristics only through retelling.
Across languages
Translations
2 source translations are retained for this English entry.
French:
évhémériser
— to explain or interpret something through euhemerism
Portuguese:
evemerizar
— to explain or interpret something through euhemerism
