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

Celebrated Punjabi poet Jaswant Zafar, 60, makes his screen debut in the role of Harjap, the aging patriarch at the center of the second story. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 May 2026

The neighborhood, called Jabal al-Joufeh, was historically home to merchants, politicians, and poets. —Annie Hylton, New Yorker, 14 May 2026

Focusing on Vahdat’s repertoire of classical settings for verse by great Persian poets both ancient (Hafez, Rumi) and contemporary (Forough Farrokhzad), as well as songs she’s gathered from Iran’s various ethnic groups, the project includes percussionist Nariman Assadi on tombak and daf. —Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 13 May 2026

Japanese artist and poet Gozo Yoshimasu has been announced as the inaugural recipient of the Serpentine x Flag Art Foundation Prize. —News Desk, Artforum, 13 May 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