lyric

[ lir-ik ]

/ ˈlɪr ɪk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR lyric ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective Also lyr·i·cal.

(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.

pertaining to or writing lyric poetry: a lyric poet.

characterized by or expressing spontaneous, direct feeling: a lyric song; lyric writing.

pertaining to, rendered by, or employing singing.

(of a voice) relatively light of volume and modest in range: a lyric soprano.

pertaining, adapted, or sung to the lyre, or composing poems to be sung to the lyre: ancient Greek lyric odes.

noun

a lyric poem.

Often lyrics. the words of a song.

Nearby words

lyre, lyre back, lyre snake, lyre-form sofa, lyrebird, lyric, lyrical, lyricism, lyricist, lyricize, lyrids

Origin of lyric

1575–85; < Latin lyricus < Greek lyrikós. See lyre, -ic

Related forms

lyr·i·cal·ly, adverblyr·i·cal·ness, nounnon·lyr·ic, adjectivenon·lyr·i·cal, adjective

non·lyr·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·lyr·i·cal·ness, nounsem·i·lyr·ic, adjectivesem·i·lyr·i·cal, adjectivesem·i·lyr·i·cal·ly, adverbun·lyr·ic, adjectiveun·lyr·i·cal, adjectiveun·lyr·i·cal·ly, adverbun·lyr·i·cal·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for lyrical

From a lyrical standpoint, there are precious few that can catch Kendrick.
The 14 Best Songs of 2014: Bobby Shmurda, Future Islands, Drake, and More|Marlow Stern|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He loved simplicity in his musical arrangements, which allowed his lyrical message and melodies to shine through.
When Gary Wright Met George Harrison: Dream Weaver, John and Yoko, and More|Gary Wright|September 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The lyrical declamation has inspired luminaries ranging from Kurt Vonnegut to Robert Frost.
James Franco and Scott Haze on 'The Sound and the Fury' and Gawker 'Outing' Them As A 'Couple'|Marlow Stern|September 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This dad read it as the latter and wrote his own lyrical rebuttal to the tune.
Competitive Eaters, Breaking Bad in Space, and More Viral Videos|Alex Chancey|July 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The last two were the main events, promising an epic showdown of lyrical skill.
America’s Poets: Battle Rap Gets Real|Rich Goldstein|July 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mr. Rubinstein succeeded in making the Albeniz pieces not only poetical but lyrical.
The London Mercury, Vol. I, Nos. 1-6, November 1919 to April 1920|Various
The appearance of the Lyrical Ballads did not make, but mark, an era in our poetry.
Ephemera Critica|John Churton Collins
Is there any trace of such an operatic, lyrical, dancing peasantry in austere Scotland?
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 2|Various
Why do the Lyrical Ballads mark an important literary epoch?
English Literature|William J. Long
He is one of the most perfect masters of lyrical form in English poetry.
A History of English Literature|George Saintsbury

British Dictionary definitions for lyrical (1 of 2)

lyrical

/ (ˈlɪrɪkəl) /

adjective

another word for lyric (def. 1), lyric (def. 2), lyric (def. 3), lyric (def. 4)

enthusiastic; effusive (esp in the phrase to wax lyrical)

British Dictionary definitions for lyrical (2 of 2)

lyric

/ (ˈlɪrɪk) /

adjective

(of poetry)

expressing the writer's personal feelings and thoughts
having the form and manner of a song

of or relating to such poetry

(of music) having songlike qualities

(of a singing voice) having a light quality and tone

intended for singing, esp (in classical Greece) to the accompaniment of the lyre

noun

a short poem of songlike quality

(plural) the words of a popular song

Also (for senses 1–4): lyrical

Derived Formslyrically, adverblyricalness, noun

Word Origin for lyric

C16: from Latin lyricus, from Greek lurikos, from lura lyre

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for lyrical (1 of 2)

lyrical

adj.

1580s, from lyric (n.) + -al (1). Related: Lyrically.

Word Origin and History for lyrical (1 of 2)

lyric

"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.

Culture definitions for lyrical

lyric

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.

lyric

adjective Also lyr·i·cal.

noun

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of lyric

Examples from the Web for lyrical

British Dictionary definitions for lyrical (1 of 2)

lyrical

adjective

British Dictionary definitions for lyrical (2 of 2)

lyric

adjective

noun

Word Origin for lyric

Word Origin and History for lyrical (1 of 2)

lyrical

Word Origin and History for lyrical (1 of 2)

lyric

Culture definitions for lyrical

lyric