lyric
B2Neutral (used in both everyday and formal contexts, especially in arts criticism and everyday conversation about music).
Definition
Meaning
The words of a song.
1. (noun) A type of poetry expressing personal emotion, originally meant to be sung. 2. (adjective) Relating to or characteristic of such poetry or song; expressing the writer's emotions in a beautiful and imaginative way. 3. (verb, rare) To write or sing lyrics.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary modern meaning is song-related. The poetic sense is more literary/technical. The adjective can describe a voice (beautiful and expressive) or a style of writing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling variations apply (e.g., 'lyricise' vs. 'lyricize').
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in AmE due to the dominance of the popular music industry, but the word is common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
lyric for [song/band]lyric about [topic]lyric by [writer]lyrics to [song title]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Wing it / Bluff the lyrics (to sing without knowing the words properly).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In the music industry, e.g., 'lyric publishing rights'.
Academic
In literary studies, e.g., 'Greek lyric poetry of the 7th century.'
Everyday
Discussing songs, e.g., 'I love the lyrics to that track.'
Technical
In musicology or poetry analysis, describing a specific form or vocal style.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She was hired to lyricise the composer's melodies.
- Few modern poets lyricise in the traditional sense.
American English
- He was hired to lyricize the composer's melodies.
- The artist collaborated to lyricize the track.
adverb
British English
- The piece is written lyrically.
- She sang lyrically.
American English
- The piece is written lyrically.
- He phrased the verse lyrically.
adjective
British English
- She has a lovely, lyric soprano voice.
- His writing has a distinctly lyric quality.
American English
- She has a lovely, lyric soprano voice.
- The poem is a fine example of his lyric style.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I know all the lyrics to this song.
- She writes the lyrics for our band.
- The lyrics of the song are very sad and emotional.
- Can you find the lyric sheet online?
- Critics praised the album for its complex lyrics and musical innovation.
- The poet is known for her lyric verse, often set to music.
- The lyric intensity of his late sonnets remains unparalleled in modern poetry.
- Analysing the lyric's metaphoric structure reveals its layered commentary on society.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LYRIC rhymes with LYRE, an ancient stringed instrument used to accompany poetic songs.
Conceptual Metaphor
LYRICS ARE A JOURNEY / STORY ('The lyrics take us through a heartbreak'). LYRICS ARE A MESSAGE / CONVERSATION ('The lyric speaks directly to the listener').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'текст песни' as 'text of the song' in English; 'lyrics' or 'the words' is natural.
- Do not confuse with 'лирика' (as a genre) which can be broader than just song lyrics.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'lyric' (singular) to refer to all the words of a song. (Correct: 'The lyrics are great.' / 'One lyric stood out.')
- Misspelling as 'liric' or 'lyrical' (which is the adjective).
Practice
Quiz
In a literary context, 'lyric' most specifically refers to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Lyric' is primarily a noun (the words of a song) or a classifying adjective ('lyric poet', 'lyric tenor'). 'Lyrical' is a descriptive adjective meaning 'expressing emotion in a beautiful way' ('a lyrical description of the landscape').
It is almost always treated as plural when referring to the words of a song ('The lyrics are good'). The singular 'lyric' is used to refer to a single line or phrase ('That one lyric really moved me').
Yes, but it is rare and formal/technical (meaning 'to write lyrics'). The more common verbs are 'to write lyrics' or 'to lyricize' (AmE) / 'lyricise' (BrE).
A type of music video that focuses on displaying the song's lyrics with artistic typography and visuals, often released before or instead of a traditional narrative video.