tone poet

noun

: a composer of music
specifically : a composer of symphonic poems

Word History

Etymology

translation of German tondichter

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tone poet was in 1847

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Cite this Entry

“Tone poet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tone%20poet. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.

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