poet

noun

po·​et ˈpō-ət 

-it,

 also  ˈpȯ(-)it

1

: one who writes poetry : a maker of verses

2

: one (such as a creative artist) of great imaginative and expressive capabilities and special sensitivity to the medium

Synonyms

• bard
• minstrel
• muse
• poetaster
• rhymester
• rimester
• versifier

Examples of poet in a Sentence

Emily Dickinson is famous as the poet who rarely left the house but often journeyed to the depths of the human heart.

Recent Examples on the Web

Vineet Kumar Singh plays poet Kalash in Chhaava and has been receiving rave reviews for his performance in the film. —Sweta Kaushal, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

The area where Black families lived was named after the renowned African American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, who passed away in 1906. —J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2025

The story was first scribed by the ancient Greek poet Homer over 2,000 years ago and is one of the oldest stories still enjoyed by modern readers. —Jack Dunn, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025

Eisen’s version shows not the shrine but a nearby clearing, a still pool of water, and a stone slab displaying a verse by the Edo poet Matsuo Bashō. —Hannah Walhout, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French poete, from Latin poeta, from Greek poiētēs maker, poet, from poiein to make; akin to Sanskrit cinoti he gathers, heaps up

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing poet

• poet laureate

Kids Definition

poet

noun

po·​et ˈpō-ət 

-it

: a person who writes poetry