composer

American  

[kuhm-poh-zer] / kəmˈpoʊ zər /

noun

1. a person or thing that composes.

2. a person who writes music.

3. an author.

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composer British  

/ kəmˈpəʊzə /

noun

1. a person who composes music

2. a person or machine that composes anything, esp type for printing

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Etymology

Origin of composer

First recorded in 1555–65; compose + -er ¹

Explanation

A composer is an artist who writes music to be played or performed by musicians. A classical composer might work by writing out musical notation and trying things out on the piano. If you're a composer, you most likely write classical, jazz, music for film, or another type of primarily instrumental music, without lyrics. A writer of popular or rock music is more likely to be called a "songwriter." A composer might compose symphonies as a profession, or write short tunes as a hobby. In Old French, composer means "put together, arrange, or write," from com-, "with," and poser, "to place."

Example Sentences

The poet Wallace Stevens and the composer Charles Ives were insurance executives.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Sir Karl, who was born and raised in Penclawdd, Swansea, said it was "gratifying" to be the first living composer to take the top spot.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

However, entertainment reporter Jonathan Sim says Galaxy pulls things back, which allows composer Brian Tyler's "excellent musical score" to take centre stage.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

That epiphany in turn led him to meet with John Du Prez, who became the composer for “Spamalot.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

While we’re doing this, Mr. Kempsey unlocks the record player and puts on an L.P. of that week’s composer.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

Related Words

• writer