lyric

1 of 2

noun

lyr·​ic ˈlir-ik 

1

: a lyric composition

specifically : a lyric poem

2

: the words of a song

—often used in plural

lyric

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: suitable for singing to the lyre or for being set to music and sung

b

: of, relating to, or being drama set to music

especially : operatic

lyric stage

2

a

: expressing direct usually intense personal emotion especially in a manner suggestive of song

lyric poetry

b

: exuberant, rhapsodic

exploded with lyric wrath

—Time

3

of an opera singer : having a light voice and a melodic style

a lyric soprano

compare dramatic sense 3

Did you know?

To the ancient Greeks, anything lyrikos was appropriate to the lyre. That elegant stringed instrument was highly regarded by the Greeks and was used to accompany intensely personal poetry that revealed the thoughts and feelings of the poet. When the adjective lyric, a descendant of lyrikos, was adopted into English in the 1500s, it too referred to things pertaining or adapted to the lyre. Initially, it was applied to poetic forms (such as elegies, odes, or sonnets) that express strong emotion, to poets who write such works, or to things meant to be sung. Over time, it was extended to anything musical or rhapsodic. Nowadays, lyric is also used as a noun naming either a type of poem or the words of a song.

Synonyms

Noun

• poem
• rune
• song
• verse

Adjective

• euphonious
• lyrical
• mellifluent
• mellifluous
• mellow
• melodic
• melodious
• musical

Examples of lyric in a Sentence

Noun

a song with a beautiful lyric

a poet admired for his lyrics

Adjective

they performed a slow, lyric dance for the audience

the film's lyric photography really enhanced its romantic mood

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Lehrer is an American songwriter known for penning lyrics that were frequently satirical. —Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025

First up is multiple Olivier Award-winning stage musical, Top Hat — based on RKO’s classic 1935 film starring Astaire and Rogers, featuring music and lyrics by Irving Berlin — which will open in Chichester, England this summer and embark on a tour later this year. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 June 2025

Adjective

Kate Beckinsale debuted a new tattoo in honor of her late father, Richard Beckinsale Richard died in 1979 when the actress was 5 years old Her arm tattoo features a David Bowie lyric Kate Beckinsale is honoring her late dad. —Catherine Santino, People.com, 5 June 2025

As the Duke, René Barbera, a light and agreeably lyric tenor, goes his own way. —Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle French or Latin; Middle French lyrique, from Latin lyricus, from Greek lyrikos, from lyra

First Known Use

Noun

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for lyric

• pyrrhic
• stearic
• balearic
• empiric
• etheric
• satiric
• hemispheric
• panegyric
• stratospheric
• interhemispheric

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Kids Definition

lyric

1 of 2 noun

lyr·​ic ˈlir-ik 

1

: a lyric poem or song

2

plural : the words of a song

lyric

2 of 2 adjective

1

a

: resembling a song in form, feeling, or literary quality

b

: expressing a poet's own feeling : not narrative or dramatic

lyric poetry

2

: having or involving a light singing style