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 of poet

• minstrel
• muse
• bard

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

Another Nobel laureate, the poet Seamus Heaney, describes here (in Writers Institute sound that’s also from the 1980s) how engaging the world through literature can take us into a kind of mind-place while using material from history. —Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026

Now, the 49-year-old is moving into a more prominent role as the county’s official poet — a position Levine Cava created during her first term as mayor. —Douglas Hanks april 1, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026

This year’s Persistence of Vision Award celebrates experimental filmmaker and poet Lynne Sachs. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026

One of the poets inspired by Browne is Dave Bengtson, who says Browne changed his life and became a good friend. —Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 31 Mar. 2026

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