lyricist

Definitions

lyric (song words) + -ist (one who) = the person who writes a song's words — as opposed to the composer, who writes the music.

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The lyricist spent weeks finding the perfect rhyme.

• 2.

  She is both the lyricist and the lead singer.

• 3.

  The award honours the show's composer and lyricist.

Easily Confused

lyricist vs composer — the lyricist writes the words, the composer writes the music. In musicals and pop they are often two different people. Don't call a tune-writer a lyricist.