What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lyric
Example
The poet wrote a beautiful lyric about love. [lyric: noun]
Example
The singer performed the song's emotional lyrics with passion. [lyrics: plural noun]
Example
The composer created a hauntingly beautiful lyric melody. [lyric: adjective]
verse
Example
The poem had several verses that were each four lines long. [verse: noun]
Example
The singer belted out the chorus verse with gusto. [verse: noun]
Example
The author's use of verse in the novel added to its poetic quality. [verse: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Verse is more commonly used than lyric in everyday language. Verse is a versatile term that can be used to describe the structure of a poem or song, while lyric is less common and is typically used to describe the emotional and poetic qualities of a song or poem.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lyric and verse?
Both lyric and verse can be used in formal and informal contexts, but verse is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts.
