lyric

[ lir-ik ]

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.

noun

1. a lyric poem.
2. Often lyrics. the words of a song.

lyric

/ ˈlɪrɪk /

adjective

1. of poetry
   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

noun

1. a short poem of songlike quality
2. plural the words of a popular song

lyric

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.

Derived Forms

• ˈlyrically, adverb
• ˈlyricalness, noun

Other Words From

• lyri·cal·ly adverb
• lyri·cal·ness noun
• non·lyric adjective
• non·lyri·cal adjective
• non·lyri·cal·ly adverb
• non·lyri·cal·ness noun
• semi·lyric adjective
• semi·lyri·cal adjective
• semi·lyri·cal·ly adverb
• un·lyric adjective
• un·lyri·cal adjective
• un·lyri·cal·ly adverb
• un·lyri·cal·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lyric¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of lyric¹

C16: from Latin lyricus, from Greek lurikos, from lura lyre

Example Sentences

The song includes the lyric, “Allow me to reintroduce myself.”

From Los Angeles Times

Referencing the “+57” lyric, “Turned off her phone so she wouldn’t get caught / Baby is bad, but she’s smart,” the agency’s general director Astrid Cáceres Cárdenas alleged the song alludes to the country’s network of human trafficking, in which young girls are invited to parties where they are vulnerable to sexual exploitation.

From Los Angeles Times

On the second play of Northview’s ensuing drive the sophomore returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown and Lyric Verdugo’s one-point catch made it 14-0.

From Los Angeles Times

In the last two weeks of the campaign, the Los Angeles Police Protective League contributed $445,000 to De León’s side after Jurado quoted a song with the lyric “F— the police” in response to a question by a student, who turned out to also be a De León aide, about defunding law enforcement.

From Los Angeles Times

Over the last week, Jurado has dismissed the criticism of her “F— the police” remark, saying it was “just a lyric” from a rap song.

From Los Angeles Times