poet

noun

po·​et ˈpō-ət How to pronounce poet (audio)
-it
also ˈpȯ(-)it
Synonyms of poetnext
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

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
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The addition of spoken word passages by local Geordie poet Cooper Robson, who drifts through balladic descriptions of community, working-class masculinity, and pickled onions, aids Knats in their explorations of their hometown. Archie Forde, Pitchfork, 1 May 2026 In suggesting a reasonable frame of mind, the poet hints at a model for us as well. Literary Hub, 1 May 2026 Corso is a reference to [beat poet] Gregory Corso. Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2026 The production was largely a collaboration between Rylance and prose poet Louis Jenkins, who wrote more than 600 prose poems during his lifetime, many of which were adapted into the film’s screenplay, written by Rylance and Lichtscheidl. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for poet

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of poet was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Poet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poet. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

poet

noun
po·​et ˈpō-ət How to pronounce poet (audio)
-it
: a person who writes poetry

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