lyric

American  

[lir-ik] / ˈlɪr ɪk /

adjective

1. (of poetry) having the form and musical quality of a song, and especially the character of a songlike outpouring of the poet's own thoughts and feelings, as distinguished from epic and dramatic poetry.

2. pertaining to or writing lyric poetry.

   a lyric poet.

3. characterized by or expressing spontaneous, direct feeling.

   a lyric song; lyric writing.

4. pertaining to, rendered by, or employing singing.

5. (of a voice) relatively light of volume and modest in range.

   a lyric soprano.

6. pertaining, adapted, or sung to the lyre, or composing poems to be sung to the lyre.

   ancient Greek lyric odes.

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noun

1. a lyric poem.

2. Often lyrics. the words of a song.

lyric British  

/ ˈlɪrɪk /

adjective

1. 1. expressing the writer's personal feelings and thoughts

   2. having the form and manner of a song

2. of or relating to such poetry

3. (of music) having songlike qualities

4. (of a singing voice) having a light quality and tone

5. intended for singing, esp (in classical Greece) to the accompaniment of the lyre

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noun

1. a short poem of songlike quality

2. (plural) the words of a popular song

lyric Cultural  

1. A kind of poetry, generally short, characterized by a musical use of language. Lyric poetry often involves the expression of intense personal emotion. The elegy, the ode, and the sonnet are forms of the lyric poem.

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Other Word Forms

• lyrically adverb
• lyricalness noun
• nonlyric adjective
• nonlyrical adjective
• nonlyrically adverb
• nonlyricalness noun
• semilyric adjective
• semilyrical adjective
• semilyrically adverb
• unlyric adjective
• unlyrical adjective
• unlyrically adverb
• unlyricalness noun

Etymology

Origin of lyric

1575–85; < Latin lyricus < Greek lyrikós. See lyre, -ic

Example Sentences

The BBC's own review noted that there was a disconnect between the "muscular" songs and the "existential crisis" of Styles' lyrics, concluding: "As a portrait of an artist at a crossroads, it's compellingly knotty."

From BBC

Her borderland upbringing in El Paso has also shaped her Spanglish lyrics.

From Los Angeles Times

With the lyrics of Stargazing on his phone, the boy was encouraged by the singer to join him in front of the crowd to start the song.

From BBC

Over the years, the group have faced criticism for their provocative lyrics and merchandise.

From BBC

Of the country's biggest selling songs last year, only two featured non-English lyrics.

From BBC