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

Whereas Coltrane brought grace and a gentle texture, Rollins arguably delivered a firmer sense of music's ebbs and flows, crafting jazz in the manner of a classical composer.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

There's a cinematic score, co-written by long-time Bond composer David Arnold and featuring vocals from Lana Del Rey.

From BBC • May 24, 2026

The pianist was the composer Timo Andres, who is also one of the participants in a traveling Glass etudes show.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

In his prime, Salieri was a solid songsmith, popular enough to secure a gig as court composer to Emperor Joseph II in Vienna.

From Salon • May 16, 2026

Nonetheless, and sidestepping the details of Boccherini’s actual life, Mussolini decided in 1927 that the remains of an Italian-born composer of nearly two hundred years earlier should be dug up and brought back to Lucca.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Related Words

• writer