lyric

[lir-ik] /ˈlɪr ɪk/
adjective, Also, lyrical
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
7.
a lyric poem.
8.
Often, lyrics. the words of a song.
Origin
1575-85; < Latin lyricus < Greek lyrikós. See lyre, -ic
Related forms
lyrically, adverb
lyricalness, noun
nonlyric, adjective
nonlyrical, adjective
nonlyrically, adverb
nonlyricalness, noun
semilyric, adjective
semilyrical, adjective
semilyrically, adverb
unlyric, adjective
unlyrical, adjective
unlyrically, adverb
unlyricalness, noun
Examples from the web for lyrics
  • The marked differences between these three lyrics show how vital is the relation between words and music.
  • Learn from it, and don't bluster yourself to a point where you quote song lyrics to comfort some degree of arrogance.
  • It's a difficult song, she remembered all the lyrics, and she didn't wink or twirl her skirt at the end.
  • She quietly began writing song lyrics, never imagining that she would one day perform them herself.
  • Tunes written in one village would often be given lyrics by a member of a different community.
  • And it won't be long before he won't remember lyrics or how to play the songs he's performed thousands of times.
  • Or you can go truly thematic and match the lyrics to the menu.
  • Nor does it bother him that audiences don't understand his lyrics.
  • To these years, in all probability, also belong many of his lyrics and occasional verses.
  • The lyrics may-generally will-present arrangements of different multiples.
British Dictionary definitions for lyrics

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
6.
a short poem of songlike quality
7.
(pl) the words of a popular song
Also (for senses 1–4) lyrical
Derived Forms
lyrically, adverb
lyricalness, noun
Word Origin
C16: from Latin lyricus, from Greek lurikos, from luralyre
Word Origin and History for lyrics

lyric

n.

"a lyric poem," 1580s, from Middle French lyrique "short poem expressing personal emotion," from Latin lyricus "of or for the lyre," from Greek lyrikos "singing to the lyre," from lyra (see lyre). Meaning "words of a popular song" is first recorded 1876. Related: lyrics.

lyrics in Culture

lyric definition


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.