noun

lyric

/ˈlɪrɪk/ · say it: LIR·ik

poetry expressing personal emotion, songlike in form

In Literary English

In more detail

1. (noun) the words of a song

2. (noun) a short poem, usually expressing personal feelings or emotions

3. (adjective) expressing personal emotions or feelings in an imaginative way

Examples

1. The lyrics to that song are really beautiful.
2. She wrote a lyric about missing her hometown.
3. His lyric poetry often explores themes of love and loss.

How to use lyric

Lyric as a noun typically refers to song words, often used in plural form 'lyrics.' As an adjective, lyric (or the more common 'lyrical') describes highly personal, emotionally expressive writing or music, often with musical or songlike qualities. The adjective lyric is somewhat formal or technical, particularly in literary and musical contexts.

Common phrases

lyric poetry
lyric soprano
lyric video
lyric content
lyric sheet

Synonyms

verse · words · composition · poem · stanza

Word family

lyrics · lyrical · lyrically · lyricism

A common mistake

Learners often confuse 'lyric' and 'lyrical'—while both can describe expressive poetry or songs, 'lyrical' is far more common as an adjective in modern English. Additionally, 'lyric' as an adjective is often replaced by 'lyrical' in everyday usage.

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Nearby in Literary English

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