lyricist

[ lir-uh-sist ]

noun

1. a person who writes the lyrics for songs.
2. a lyric poet.

lyricist

/ ˈlɪrɪsɪst /

noun

1. a person who writes the words for a song, opera, or musical play
2. Also calledlyrist a lyric poet

Word History and Origins

Origin of lyricist¹

First recorded in 1880–85; lyric + -ist

Example Sentences

Now that she’s an accomplished lyricist, she pays more attention to the written word.

From Los Angeles Times

Payne, a gifted lyricist and voracious listener, had a steeper climb to find his own sound.

From Los Angeles Times

The lyricist renowned for his long partnership with Elton John admires the siblings’ “winning combination of originality and classic songwriting” and says they’ve left “undeniably unique fingerprints on their own generation.”

From Los Angeles Times

"Martin has never been the most poetically complex of lyricists," added The Telegraph's Neil McCormick, but "does the world really need" songs that sound "like Instagram self-help slogans?"

From BBC

Kendrick is also known for being one of the most inventive lyricists hip-hop today.

From BBC

Related Words

• composer
• musician
• poet
• songwriter