lyric
LEER-ik
/ˈlɪr.ɪk/
Expressing the writer's emotions in an imaginative and beautiful way; or a short poem expressing personal feelings.
Distinguished by subjective emotion, melodic musicality, and personal reflection.
The story behind the word. From Greek 'lyrikos', meaning 'pertaining to the lyre' (a stringed musical instrument). Ancient Greek poets sang lyric poems while strumming the lyre.
Word relationships
- melodic: 'Melodic' refers directly to musical tune; 'lyric' emphasizes emotional poetic expression.
- narrative: Narrative poetry tells a story, while lyric poetry focuses on personal emotion.
Commonly confused with
- epic: An epic tells grand historical stories; a lyric focuses on intimate personal feeling.
Word family
- lyrical (adjective): Expressing emotion in an enthusiastic, beautiful, or poetic way.
- lyricism (noun): An artistic quality that expresses deep emotion beautifully.
Collocations
- lyric poetry
- lyric poem
- lyric quality
- song lyric
Example sentences
- "The poet's lyric voice captures the deep sadness of longing and solitude." Literary analysis
Memory hook
LYRIC poems were originally sung with a LYRE. Emotional and musical poetry.
When not to use
Do not confuse song lyrics (plural noun) with a lyric poem (singular noun/adjective form).
Fun facts
- Ancient Greeks categorized all literature into three types: lyric, dramatic, and epic.
Explore more words
expressive, whimsical, evocative, sentimental, affective, poignant
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