Lyric — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈlir-ik/ lyr·ic

Meaning & Definition of Lyric

Lyric (noun)

  1. a lyric composition; specifically, a lyric poem
  2. the words of a song —often plural

Lyric (adjective)

  1. suitable for singing to the lyre or for being set to music and sung
  2. of, relating to, or being drama set to music; especially, operatic
  3. expressing direct usually intense personal emotion especially in a manner suggestive of song

Lyric (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a composition using rhythm and often rhyme to create a lyrical effect

    "would you care to read your short lyric aloud?"

    similar: poem, rune, song, verse
    related: rhyme, ballad, lay, anacreontic, clerihew, dithyramb, eclogue, elegy, English sonnet, epic, epigram, epode, epopee, epos, georgic, idyll, jingle, lament, limerick, madrigal, ode, pastoral, pastorale, psalm, rondeau, rondel, rondelet, sonnet, triolet, villanelle, haiku, senryu, tanka, blank verse, free verse, minstrelsy, poesy, poetry, versification, vers libre

  2. a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment

    "the guitarist sang a gentle lyric while playing"

    similar: ballad, ditty, jingle, lay, song, vocal
    related: anthem, cantata, canticle, carol, chorale, hymn, noel, psalm, spiritual, dirge, lament, requiem, threnody, hallelujah, paean, aria, art song, barcarole, blues, chanson, chant, chantey, chorus, croon, descant, folk song, glee, lullaby, madrigal, motet, part-song, pop, rocker, round, roundelay, serenade, standard, drinking song, fight song, torch song, cover, medley, remix

Lyric (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having a pleasantly flowing quality suggestive of music

    "they performed a slow, lyric dance for the audience"

    similar: euphonious, lyrical, mellifluent, mellifluous, mellow, melodic, melodious, musical
    related: dulcet, golden, sweet
    opposite: unlyrical
    near: disconnected, staccato, discordant, dissonant, grating, harsh, inharmonious, jarring, strident, unmelodious, unmusical

  2. having qualities suggestive of poetry

    "the film's lyric photography really enhanced its romantic mood"

    similar: bardic, lyrical, poetic, poetical, poeticized
    related: metrical, rhyming, rhythmic, rhapsodic, florid, flowery, grandiloquent, highfalutin, high-flown, ornate, purple, glamorized, idealized, romanticized, figurative, metaphoric, symbolic
    opposite: prosaic, prose, unlyrical, unpoetic
    near: factual, literal, matter-of-fact, antipoetic

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Lyric

The most common words with a similar meaning to Lyric:

poem, rune, song, verse, ballad, ditty, jingle, lay, vocal, euphonious, lyrical, mellifluent, mellifluous, mellow, melodic, melodious, musical, bardic, poetic, poetical, poeticized

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Lyric

Words with the opposite meaning of Lyric:

unlyrical, prosaic, prose, unpoetic

Related Words for Lyric

rhyme, anacreontic, clerihew, dithyramb, eclogue, elegy, English sonnet, epic, epigram, epode, epopee, epos, georgic, idyll, lament, limerick, madrigal, ode, pastoral, pastorale, psalm, rondeau, rondel, rondelet, sonnet, triolet, villanelle, haiku, senryu, tanka

Near Antonyms of Lyric

disconnected, staccato, discordant, dissonant, grating, harsh, inharmonious, jarring, strident, unmelodious, unmusical, factual, literal, matter-of-fact, antipoetic

Origin & Etymology of Lyric

Middle French or Latin; Middle French lyrique, from Latin lyricus, from Greek lyrikos, from lyra

First known use: circa 1586

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Lyric

Frequently Asked Questions about Lyric

What does "Lyric" mean?

"Lyric" means a lyric composition; specifically, a lyric poem. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: a lyric composition; specifically, a lyric poem. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Lyric"?

Other words for "Lyric" include poem, rune, song, verse, ballad, ditty, jingle and lay. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Lyric" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Lyric"?

There are 118 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Lyric". Common alternatives include poem, rune, song, verse, ballad, ditty, jingle, lay, vocal and euphonious.

What is the opposite of "Lyric"?

Antonyms of "Lyric" include unlyrical, prosaic, prose and unpoetic. Near antonyms include disconnected, staccato, discordant and dissonant.

How do you use "Lyric" in a sentence?

Examples of "Lyric" in a sentence: "would you care to read your short lyric aloud?"; "the guitarist sang a gentle lyric while playing"; "they performed a slow, lyric dance for the audience".

Is "Lyric" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Lyric" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Lyric" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Lyric" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Lyric"?

"Lyric" is pronounced /ˈlir-ik/ and divided into syllables as lyr·ic.