lyricism

American  

[lir-uh-siz-uhm] / ˈlɪr əˌsɪz əm /

noun

1. lyric character or style, as in poetry.

2. lyric feeling; enthusiasm, especially when unrestrained or exaggerated.

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lyricism British  

/ ˈlɪrɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. the quality or style of lyric poetry

2. emotional or enthusiastic outpouring

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Other Word Forms

• nonlyricism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of lyricism

First recorded in 1750–60; lyric + -ism

Explanation

Lyricism is the quality of tunefulness or melody that a piece of music has. A choir director carefully considers the lyricism of the songs she chooses for a big concert. Something with lyricism is lyrical, or singable. This noun also captures the emotional nature of certain works of art, particularly poetry and other writing: "The poem's lyricism makes it possible for the reader to acutely experience those feelings of loss and despair." The related word lyric means "the words to a song," but originally meant "a lyric poem," from the Greek lyrikos, "singing to the lyre."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lyricism

Like most of música mexicana, it, too, is evolving, both in sound and lyricism, encapsulating today’s complex dating culture.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026

In “The Road,” Cormac McCarthy depicts a postapocalyptic world with the savagery and tangled lyricism he earlier brought to blood-dimmed novels about the Western borderlands.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026

Armenta’s entry into the música mexicana realm was not as calculated as his lyricism; at least not at first.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2026

Upon her death in 2017, Mr. Wonder credited her with sharpening his lyricism and keeping him at Motown—thus contradicting Mr. Robinson’s claim that Mr. Wonder’s contract was safe all along.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 19, 2026

She read the Qur’an and was struck by its power and lyricism.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers