lyricist
gb/lˈɪɹɪsɪst/ us/lˈɪɹɪsɪst/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
role
1
person who writes song lyrics
A lyricist writes the words for songs.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a lyricist (for [band/artist/show])
Common mistake:
Learners may think a lyricist always writes the music too; often the music is written by a composer, while the lyricist writes only the words.
Synonyms
lyric writer (More explicit; less common as a job title.)
|
songwriter (Broader; can include writing the music as well as the words.)
Antonyms
composer (Writes the music rather than the lyrics.)
Collocations
award-winning lyricist
|song lyricist
|pop lyricist
|staff lyricist
|the band's lyricist
|credited as lyricist
|work with a composer
|write lyrics as a lyricist
|lead lyricist
|lyricist and composer
Themes
music
|arts
|media
Examples
- She started her career as a lyricist, writing words for other artists.
- The producer introduced the singer to a lyricist who could help shape the album’s stories.
- He is credited as the lyricist on three tracks, while someone else composed the melodies.
Learner examples
- My friend is a lyricist who writes song words.
- The lyricist wrote the lyrics, and the composer wrote the music.
Noun
C1
role
2
writer of words for a musical
In theatre, a lyricist writes the sung words for a show.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is the lyricist of [musical/show]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse the lyricist with the “book writer” (who writes spoken dialogue) in musical theatre.
Synonyms
songwriter (Not specific to theatre; may also imply writing music.)
Antonyms
book writer (Writes the spoken script/dialogue rather than the lyrics.)
|
composer (Writes the music rather than the words.)
Collocations
the show's lyricist
|Broadway lyricist
|theatre lyricist
|the lyricist of the musical
|book writer and lyricist
|composer and lyricist team
|lyrics by the lyricist
|workshopping the lyrics
Themes
music
|theatre
|arts
Examples
- The composer and lyricist spent months revising the songs before opening night.
- She was hired as the lyricist for the new stage musical.
- In the program, the lyricist is listed separately from the book writer and composer.
Learner examples
- The lyricist wrote the words for the musical.
- He is the lyricist of the show.
Grammar
Dictionary form
lyricist
IPA
GB/lˈɪɹɪsɪst/
US/lˈɪɹɪsɪst/
Syllables & stress
lyr - i - cist (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (lyr)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: lyricist
- Plural: lyricists
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.