lyric

1 of 2

noun

lyr·​ic ˈlir-ik How to pronounce lyric (audio)
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 wrathTime
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.

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
Ibrahim Ghazi penned its lyrics, and Mohammad Shafiq wrote the melody. Billboard Arabia, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2024 The anger and frustration of the original songs are still present on the re-recording, but the lyrics have been moved to the forefront. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2024
Adjective
If possible, consider making a music video, a lyric video or a series of visual snippets to go along with your release strategy. Justin Grome, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024 Songs considered for nominations must be new and contain a minimum percentage of lyric content (60%) in Spanish, Portuguese or any native regional dialect. Justino Aguila, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lyric 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lyric.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of lyric was in 1567

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near lyric

Cite this Entry

“Lyric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lyric. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

lyric

1 of 2 noun
lyr·​ic ˈlir-ik How to pronounce lyric (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on lyric

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!