lyricism

noun

lyr·​i·​cism ˈlir-ə-ˌsi-zəm 

1

: the quality or state of being lyric : songfulness

The important part of his anthology 100 Modern Poems is the foreign verse, showing the French influence on our symbolism, the Celtic influence (Yeats, Dylan Thomas) on our lyricism.

—Peter Viereck

2

a

: an intense personal quality expressive of feeling or emotion in an art (such as poetry or music)

… a muse that brought out the lyricism in innumerable writers.

—Erich Segal

b

: exuberance

[Thomas] Wolfe is the sort of author who inspires lyricism or invective, not judicious interpretation

—Time

3

: the words of a song : lyrics

witty lyricism

Despite her spitfire raps and devil-may-care persona, Lee's lyricism is surprisingly sensitive, proving the rapper to be wise beyond her years.

—Gladys Yeo

Renaissance, Beyoncé's seventh album, was a seductive club banger with heady lyricism and deep tributes to the queer community.

—CT Jones

Examples of lyricism in a Sentence

the lyricism of his paintings

Recent Examples on the Web

The project is anticipated to expand his artistic limits, fusing profound lyricism with immersive soundscapes that showcase his evolution as a musician. —Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 2 Dec. 2024

The lyricism of your plays also reminds me of August Wilson. —Rhoda Feng, Vogue, 25 Nov. 2024

Allowing people to see myself in the lyricism has allowed for a deeper connection with people. —Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024

In these early cuts, Ayres prioritizes contouring his sweeping melodies with ethereal arrangements over verbose lyricism. —Kyle Denis, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1760, in the meaning defined at sense 1