Definition of lyric

The word "lyric" has its roots in ancient Greece. In Greek, the term "lyrikos" () referred to a librettist or a poet who wrote songs for performances. The Greek lyric poets, such as Sappho and Pindar, were known for their verse, which was often used to accompany music and dance. The word "lyric" was later adopted into Latin as "lyricus," and from there it was borrowed into various European languages. In the 16th century, the term "lyric" was used to describe a type of poetry that was meant to be sung or recited, often with a focus on personal emotions and feelings. Today, the term "lyric" is used to describe not only poetry but also the words sung in a song, as well as the musical composition itself. The origin of the word reflects the close connection between music, poetry, and performance in ancient Greek culture.