WordGarden.iolyrically
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /lˈɪrɪkli/
US
- /ˈlɪrɪkli/
Meanings
Adverb
with respect to song lyrics or lyrical content
in a poetic, flowing, and emotionally expressive way
Beyond the definition
To describe something as "lyrically" done usually means it is expressed with the beauty, feeling, and flow of a song or poem. It does not always mean there is actual singing. A writer might describe a scene lyrically, using words that feel vivid, smooth, and full of emotion. You might also hear it in music talk, as in "lyrically, the album is darker," where it means "in the song's words." In both cases, the idea is about expression through carefully chosen words or a graceful, poetic style.
"Lyrically" has two closely related uses. One use is about style: it describes something done in a poetic, flowing, expressive way, with beauty, rhythm, imagery, or deep feeling. The other use is more direct and musical: it means "in terms of the lyrics," or "regarding the words of a song."
You will often hear it used to describe how something is done. For example, "The author lyrically described the sunset" means they wrote about it in a beautiful, vivid way. A film may be lyrically shot if its images feel poetic or dreamlike. A dancer might move lyrically, with fluid and expressive motion that feels like music turned into movement.
It is also common in music reviews and conversations. Someone might say, "Lyrically, this song is very personal," or "Lyrically, the record is sharper than the last one." In those cases, the word does not mean "poetically" in a broad sense. It specifically points to the content, themes, tone, or quality of the song's words.
The two uses are connected because song lyrics are often associated with emotion, beauty, and careful wording. So whether you are talking about a poem-like style or about the actual words in a song, "lyrically" is tied to expression through language, especially language shaped with feeling and art.
Examples
- 1
Singing style
She sang the quiet song lyrically, without forcing any of the notes.
- 2
Descriptive writing
He writes lyrically about childhood summers by the sea.
- 3
Literary praise
The novel begins slowly, but some passages are lyrically beautiful.
- 4
Song lyrics
The melody is catchy, but lyrically the song feels shallow.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Album themes
Lyrically, the album is darker than her earlier work.
See also
Similar
- poetically
- expressively
- melodiously
Shades of meaning
- eloquently
- tunefully
- rhythmically
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- write lyrically
- sing lyrically
- move lyrically
Word family
Explore
- lyric poetry
- musical phrasing
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- lyricallyadverb