Lyrics
/ˈlɪr.ɪks/noun
The words of a song, especially when written or sung with music.
Did you know?In ancient Greek, *lyrikos* meant “of the lyre,” so *lyrics* began as the words meant to be carried by a lyre’s spell-like music, not just text on a page.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
lyrikos
“of or for the lyre”
Classical Latin
Latin
lyricus
“of a lyre; lyric poetry”
Late Latin
Latin
lyrica
“lyric poetry”
Middle English
English
lyric
“a lyric poem or song”
Modern English
English
lyrics
“the words of a song”