lyrically

Lyrically is an English adverb used to describe action or expression that is characteristic of lyric poetry or song lyrics. It denotes a style that emphasizes musicality, imagery, and emotional or imaginative language. In criticism and analysis, something described as lyrically written tends to be expressive, melodic, and vivid in its phrasing.

Etymology and form: Lyrically derives from the adjective lyrical, which in turn comes from the noun lyric and ultimately from Greek lyrikos, related to lyric poetry and the lyre. The adverbial form simply adds the -ly suffix to indicate manner or mode.

Usage and scope: The term is common in discussions of music, poetry, and prose where the language demonstrates a poetic or song-like quality. It can describe lyrics themselves, the cadence of a passage, or the overall mood of a work. While often positive, lyrically oriented writing can be used descriptively to note a heavy emphasis on imagery, sound, or sentiment, even when the content is not strictly conventional poetry.

Distinctions: Lyrically should be distinguished from related terms such as lyrical (the adjective describing something connected with lyric poetry or song) and lyrics (the actual words of a song). As an adverb, lyrically focuses on the manner of expression rather than the object being described.

See also: Lyrics, Lyrical, Lyric poetry.