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

Country, of course, tends to be a far more conservative industry than pop or rap, and Malone has adjusted his lyricism accordingly: Only four songs on F-1 Trillion are tagged as explicit, with most of the songs here keeping it squeaky clean. —Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 16 Aug. 2024

Kristin Strom Quintet with Skylar Tang Veteran San Jose saxophonist Kristin Strom, a player known for her passionate lyricism, performs with her quintet featuring husband and creative partner Scott Sorkin on guitar and trumpeter Skylar Tang. —Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2024

The track includes a few backing harmonies and some gentle acoustic guitars to bolster the true star, Gavin’s stunning voice and incredible lyricism. —Stephen Daw, Billboard, 26 July 2024

Known for their dynamic blend of punk, alternative rock, and anthemic hooks, The Warhawks have consistently captivated audiences with their raw energy and heartfelt lyricism. —Spin Contributor, SPIN, 22 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1760, in the meaning defined at sense 1