poet

¹

[poh-it]

noun

1. a person who composes poetry.

   Synonyms: bard, versifier

2. a person who has the gift of poetic thought, imagination, and creation, together with eloquence of expression.

poet.

²

abbreviation

1. poetic.

2. poetical.

3. poetry.

poet

/ ˈpəʊɪt /

noun

1. a person who writes poetry

2. a person with great imagination and creativity

Other Word Forms

• poetless adjective
• poetlike adjective
• nonpoet noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of poet¹

1250–1300; Middle English poete < Latin poēta < Greek poiētḗs poet, literally, maker, equivalent to poiē-, variant stem of poieîn to make + -tēs agent noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of poet¹

C13: from Latin poēta, from Greek poiētēs maker, poet, from poiein to make

Example Sentences

The lyrics are the only giveaway that this is the work of a band in their late middle age - as Cocker, the poet laureate of suburban misfits, sings movingly about stagnation, divorce and mortality.

From BBC

The U.S. poet laureate and native Californian’s seventh collection of poetry is rooted in the land, but gives voice to the transcendent.

From Los Angeles Times

Nor the 19th century poets and cults obsessed with everything chthonic.

From Los Angeles Times

A disillusioned, admittedly misanthropic Boston Brahmin, Lowell came to see himself as a scientist with the soul of a poet, or a poet with scientific instincts.

From Los Angeles Times

The oldest continuously-inhabited Spanish settlement in South America, it has been the birthplace and poets and presidents.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• artist 
• author 
• dramatist 
• lyricist 
• writer