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

• 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

Over the years, the festival has expanded to include artists, musicians, storytellers, poets, and more, all focused on a theme relevant to the social, religious, and political needs of the Louisville community and beyond. —Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025

Chefitz was a mountain climber, soccer player, cross-country motorcyclist, flamenco guitarist, writer and poet — to name just some of his hobbies. —Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2025

Around that time, the rapper Lloyd Banks was looking for poets on Instagram to perform an original poem for a trailer for his new album. —Megan Sauer, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025

No one crosses the sea unless the water is safer than the land, as the Anglo-Somali poet Warsan Shire wrote. —Callum McLennan, Variety, 24 Oct. 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