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

The poet Wallace Stevens and the composer Charles Ives were insurance executives.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

The Magnani Rocca Foundation was established following the death of Luigi Magnani, a composer and art collector, in 1984 in his family home.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

Gerald Barry is today’s rare opera composer with a draught-dry wit.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

J. S. Bach was probably the cleverest composer who ever lived, but he gave his performers almost no detailed instructions as to how they might play his sublime music.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Related Words

• writer