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Lyrical Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐ŸŽถ
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lyrical

[หˆlษชrษชkษ™l ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

music

expressing deep personal emotion or observations, typically in a melodious way

Synonyms

expressive, melodic, poetic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
lyrical

Used to describe something that expresses deep emotions, often in a beautiful or artistic way. Typically used in the context of music or poetry.

  • Her performance was so lyrical that it moved everyone in the audience.
  • The poet has a lyrical way of capturing human emotions.
poetic

Used to describe something that is very beautiful or graceful in an artistic way, often with a sense of deeper meaning or art. Frequently comes up in conversations about writing or expressions that resemble poetry.

  • His speech was poetic and filled with vivid imagery.
  • Thereโ€™s something poetic about the way the sunrise colors the sky.
melodic

Refers to sounds or music that are pleasant and harmonious. Commonly used when talking about the tuneful quality of music.

  • The song's melodic lines are catchy and soothing.
  • She has a naturally melodic voice that captivates her audience.
expressive

Used to describe someone or something that clearly shows feelings or thoughts. Can be used in various contexts, such as music, art, facial expressions, or speech.

  • His expressive eyes communicated what words could not.
  • The artistโ€™s use of color is very expressive.

Examples of usage

  • The song's lyrical melody touched the hearts of the audience.
  • His lyrical voice resonated with listeners around the world.
Context #2 | Adjective

writing

having a poetic, expressive quality

Synonyms

evocative, expressive, poetic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
lyrical

Used to describe something that has an emotional, musical, or poetic quality. Often refers to writing or speech that is imaginative and communicates deep emotions.

  • The author's lyrical prose painted a vivid picture of the countryside.
  • Her lyrical singing voice captivated the entire audience.
poetic

Used to describe something that has the qualities of poetry, such as beauty, rhythm, and emotional depth. This term is often applied to writing that goes beyond simple prose to achieve a more elevated style.

  • The film's poetic dialogue made every scene feel like a work of art.
  • He wrote a poetic description of the sunrise that left readers in awe.
expressive

Used to describe someone or something that clearly shows feelings, thoughts, or emotions. It can refer to facial expressions, body language, art, music, and writing.

  • The dancer's expressive movements told a story without any need for words.
  • Her expressive eyes revealed her true feelings.
evocative

Used when something brings strong images, memories, or feelings to mind. It is often employed in literature, art, and music to describe work that is particularly stimulating to the senses and emotions.

  • The painting was evocative of the artist's childhood memories.
  • The evocative scent of the flowers reminded him of his grandmother's garden.

Examples of usage

  • Her lyrical prose painted vivid images in the reader's mind.
  • The author's lyrical descriptions captured the essence of the setting.
Context #3 | Adjective

art

characterized by an artistically expressive style or quality

Synonyms

artistic, evocative, expressive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
lyrical

Used to describe something that has a musical, poetic quality and often expresses personal emotions and feelings.

  • The novel's lyrical prose captures the beauty of the countryside perfectly
  • Her lyrical voice enchanted everyone in the audience
expressive

Used to describe someone or something that effectively conveys emotions, thoughts, or ideas. It focuses on clear and meaningful expression.

  • His expressive eyes told a story without words
  • The dancer's movements were incredibly expressive, conveying deep emotions
artistic

Used to describe someone's skills or qualities related to art, creativity, and aesthetics. It emphasizes the creative and imaginative aspects.

  • He has an artistic talent that could make him a renowned painter
  • The artistic design of the building attracted numerous visitors
evocative

Used to describe something that brings strong images, memories, or feelings to mind. It emphasizes the power to evoke emotions or memories.

  • The smell of the ocean was evocative of summer holidays spent at the beach
  • Her evocative photographs captured the essence of urban life

Examples of usage

  • The painting had a lyrical quality that conveyed a sense of movement and emotion.
  • His lyrical brushstrokes created a sense of harmony and beauty.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • Many famous poets, like John Keats and William Wordsworth, are known for their lyrical style that captures deep emotions and nature.
  • Lyrical poetry often focuses on personal feelings or experiences rather than telling a story, making it a snapshot of the poet's thoughts.
  • The 'lyric' form has influenced modern songwriting, with artists looking to convey personal emotions and relatable experiences.

Music

  • In music, the term 'lyrical' often describes songs with strong emotional expression and poetic lyrics.
  • Genres like folk, R&B, and indie rock heavily feature lyrical content, appealing to the listener's emotions.
  • Notable lyrical artists, such as Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, are celebrated for their impactful word choices and storytelling abilities.

Psychology

  • Lyrical expression in art and music can have therapeutic effects, helping people process emotions and experiences.
  • Listening to or creating lyrical content can stimulate brain regions associated with emotion, enhancing mood and well-being.
  • Engaging with lyrical works can create a sense of connection and understanding, allowing people to empathize with othersโ€™ feelings.

Pop Culture

  • Critically acclaimed musical movies like 'La La Land' showcase lyrical expression through songs that convey the characters' dreams and struggles.
  • Social media platforms like TikTok have made lyrical content viral, with users creating short videos set to emotionally charged lyrics.
  • The rise of 'lyric videos' on YouTube as a form of engaging content highlights the importance of words in music today.

Origin of 'lyrical'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Greek 'lyrikos', which means 'pertaining to the lyre', a musical instrument used in ancient poetry.
  • In the 18th century, it began to describe poetry that was sung or had a musical quality.
  • Its usage expanded to encompass any expressive and emotional writing, particularly in poetry and song lyrics.

The word 'lyrical' originated from the Latin word 'lyricus', which means 'of or for the lyre'. In ancient Greece, lyric poetry was accompanied by the lyre, a stringed musical instrument. Over time, the term 'lyrical' evolved to refer to poetry and music that expressed personal emotions in a melodious way. Today, 'lyrical' is used to describe any form of art or writing that is expressive, poetic, and emotionally evocative.

See also: lyricist, lyricize.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,556, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.