lyricism

noun

lyr·​i·​cism ˈlir-ə-ˌsi-zəm How to pronounce lyricism (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Armed with cultural relevance, introspective lyricism and genre-defying artistry, this album further cemented his dominance not just in música urbana but in popular culture overall, elevating him to true household-name status. Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2026 And across his catalog, Springsteen’s concrete lyricism and drawling vocals channel folk music’s titans of protest, Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026 The breathtaking, history-making show became an instant sensation thanks to Miranda's sharp, modern lyricism and the production's impeccable staging. James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Jan. 2026 Indeed, the poet is not a jukebox, but the poet, in his lush lyricism, does inspire music. Hilton Als, New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lyricism

Word History

First Known Use

1760, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lyricism was in 1760

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Cite this Entry

“Lyricism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lyricism. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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