poet

noun

po·​et ˈpō-ət 

-it,

 also  ˈpȯ(-)it

1

: one who writes poetry : a maker of verses

2

: one (such as a creative artist) of great imaginative and expressive capabilities and special sensitivity to the medium

Synonyms

• bard
• minstrel
• muse
• poetaster
• rhymester
• rimester
• versifier

Examples of poet in a Sentence

Emily Dickinson is famous as the poet who rarely left the house but often journeyed to the depths of the human heart.

Recent Examples on the Web

The poet and abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier worked in Lowell himself for a time as editor of the Middlesex Standard and wrote his impressions of the city in his 1845 The Stranger in Lowell. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 2 Apr. 2025

Pearl, a poet, writer and environmental justice advocate, will be involved in the Poetic Tuesdays series and help curate interactive writing workshops. —Shawna Chen, Axios, 2 Apr. 2025

But here, in Poem 8, the poet hasn’t yet hardened himself. —Daniel Mendelsohn, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025

The great poet Dante added to Noli’s renown, immortalizing it in his epic poem, La Divina Commedia. —Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French poete, from Latin poeta, from Greek poiētēs maker, poet, from poiein to make; akin to Sanskrit cinoti he gathers, heaps up

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing poet

• poet laureate

Kids Definition

poet

noun

po·​et ˈpō-ət 

-it

: a person who writes poetry