Meaning & use
lyric
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Meanings
nouncountable
The words of a song.
Grammar: Usually plural: 'the lyrics of a song'. A single line is 'a lyric'.
Patterns
- the lyrics of a song
- write lyrics
- song lyrics
She wrote the lyrics for the band's new single.
The lyrics of that song are very poetic.
I can't remember the lyrics to this tune.
nouncountableformal
A short poem that expresses personal thoughts and feelings.
Grammar: Countable; you can say a lyric or lyrics.
Patterns
- a lyric poem
- write a lyric
He composed a lyric about his childhood.
The poet's early lyrics are full of emotion.
adjectivebefore a nounformal
Relating to poetry that expresses the writer's personal feelings, often in a musical way.
Grammar: Used before a noun: 'lyric poetry'.
Patterns
- lyric poetry
- lyric poet
She studied lyric poetry of the Romantic period.
His lyric style influenced many later poets.
Word forms
| plural | lyrics |
|---|
Common combinations
- song lyrics
- The song lyrics were printed in the booklet.
- write lyrics
- He writes lyrics for a pop group.
- lyric poetry
- Lyric poetry often explores love and nature.
- lyric sheet
- The CD came with a lyric sheet.
Synonyms and how they differ
- words
- Words is a general term for the text of a song; lyric is more specific and often used in the plural 'lyrics'.
- poem
- A poem is any piece of poetry; a lyric is a short poem expressing personal emotion.
Word family
Commonly confused: lyric or lyric vs lyrics?
lyric vs lyric vs lyrics
As a noun, 'lyric' can mean one poem or one line; 'lyrics' usually means all the words of a song. Use 'lyrics' for the whole text.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'lyric' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The plural 'lyrics' is the usual way to refer to the words of a song. 'Lyric' as a singular noun can mean one poem or one line, but not the whole text of a song.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “lyric”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.