What does lyricist mean?
A lyricist is a person who writes the words for songs, especially those intended for performance by singers or in musical theatre. The role involves creating language that fits a melody while also communicating character, emotion, narrative, or a distinctive point of view. A lyricist may work closely with a composer, but the two roles are distinct: the composer creates the musical framework, whereas the lyricist supplies the verbal content. The term can also be used more broadly for someone who writes lyrical or poetic texts. In contemporary music, it often suggests professional work on popular songs, stage musicals, or film songs, and it can convey a sense of creative partnership and authorship. The word is related to “lyric,” which comes from the Greek tradition of sung or poetic composition, especially the works of the ancient Greek lyric poets.
nounA person who writes the words for songs, especially popular or musical-theatre songs. The term may also refer more broadly to someone who writes poetic or lyrical text.
- A person who writes the words for songs.
- A person who writes lyric or poetic text, especially in a musical context.
"The lyricist adapted the poem into a song for the musical."
"The lyricist wrote about the changes that come with growing older."
"She was named the year's outstanding lyricist for her work on the musical."
The standard plural is “lyricists,” referring to multiple people who write song lyrics.
"The song has been performed by lyricists and composers from around the world."
A lyricist may never perform the song, but their words can turn a melody into a story that lasts for generations.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lyricist come from?
The word “lyricist” is formed from “lyric,” originally associated with poetry set to music, plus the suffix “-ist,” meaning a person who practises or specializes in something. “Lyric” comes through French from Latin lyricus, a derivative of Greek lyrikos, referring especially to the lyre or to lyric poetry. Its older literary sense emphasised the expression of personal feeling in song and verse.
Related word forms
How lyricist is actually used
The term is especially common in the United States and in discussions of popular music and musical theatre. In British English, “songwriter” is often the more usual general term.
Easily confused with lyricist
A lyricist writes the words of a song, while a composer primarily creates its music.