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

Last year, broadcaster HBO announced that he would once again be part of the returning show, this time joined by fellow composer Hans Zimmer.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Even the haunting score by the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw is outstanding, immeasurably enhancing the dark, delicate atmosphere.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Franz Joseph Haydn thought of himself as a slave at the castle of the aristocratic Esterházy family; he served as their court composer for decades while he wrote his famous works.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 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

The happiest months of Haydn’s life, according to the composer himself, were those spent being treated like a celebrity in England, in 1791-2 and again in 1794-5.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Related Words

• writer