Lyricist
/ˈlɪr.ɪ.sɪst/noun
A person who writes the words for songs.
Did you know?The word ultimately traces back to Greek lyra, the lyre, the instrument tied to Apollo and sacred song, so a lyricist is, in a very old sense, a keeper of enchanted speech.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
lyrikós
“of or for the lyre; lyric poetry”
Late Latin
Latin
lyricus
“of the lyre; lyric, song-like”
Old French
Old French
lyrique
“lyric; pertaining to songs or poetry”
16th Century
English
lyric
“a lyric poem; words set to music”
19th Century
English
lyricist
“a writer of lyrics for songs”