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

Akili recalls that during one of Jackson’s 1984 visits to San Diego, the poet and musician Gil Scott-Heron was in town performing. —Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026

Was Louise the teacher contradicting Louise the poet? —Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026

Plath, the deserted wife of fellow poet Ted Hughes, mother of two young children, died by suicide at age 30, leaving behind a collection of poems that anatomized her mental descent in scorching language that secured a permanent place in American letters. —Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026

In the end, the director asked the musician to compose music to texts from his favorite poet, Shiv Batalvi. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 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