lyricism

noun

lyr·​i·​cism ˈlir-ə-ˌsi-zəm 

1

: the quality or state of being lyric : songfulness

The important part of his anthology 100 Modern Poems is the foreign verse, showing the French influence on our symbolism, the Celtic influence (Yeats, Dylan Thomas) on our lyricism.

—Peter Viereck

2

a

: an intense personal quality expressive of feeling or emotion in an art (such as poetry or music)

… a muse that brought out the lyricism in innumerable writers.

—Erich Segal

b

: exuberance

[Thomas] Wolfe is the sort of author who inspires lyricism or invective, not judicious interpretation

—Time

3

: the words of a song : lyrics

witty lyricism

Despite her spitfire raps and devil-may-care persona, Lee's lyricism is surprisingly sensitive, proving the rapper to be wise beyond her years.

—Gladys Yeo

Renaissance, Beyoncé's seventh album, was a seductive club banger with heady lyricism and deep tributes to the queer community.

—CT Jones

Examples of lyricism in a Sentence

the lyricism of his paintings

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, there's beautiful work to be found, notably in several instrumentals, a true departure for a man known for his sharp lyricism. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 28 June 2025

This sequence has a compelling underwater lyricism. —Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 22 May 2025

In this latter mode, though, there is also space for sudden moments of lyricism. —Jessica Kiang, Variety, 21 May 2025

With an ambitious 22-track lineup inspired by Yakuza mystique and Samurai discipline, according to the press release, the LP packs raw lyricism, relentless ambition, and next-level collaborations. —Griselda Flores, Billboard, 4 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1760, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lyricism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism