noun B1 Intermediate Common

poet

POH-iht

Poet (noun) means a person who writes poems. Example: “She has been a published poet for over twenty years.”

noun

A person who writes poems.

"She has been a published poet for over twenty years."

Someone with an unusually creative or romantic way of seeing the world.

"He's a poet at heart, always noticing the beauty in small things."

How to Use Poet

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who writes poetry, or, more broadly, someone with a deeply creative or imaginative outlook.

Common pairings

aspiring poet poet laureate a poet at heart

Word Forms

poets plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “poet” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She has been a published _____ for over twenty years.

Etymology

From Greek poietes, "maker, creator," from poieo, "to make."

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

View more →

versifier bard lyricist rhymer wordsmith

Related Words

author writer rapper novelist songwriter bard

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “poet” mean?

The word “poet” means a person who writes poems. In plain terms, someone who writes poetry, or, more broadly, someone with a deeply creative or imaginative outlook.

How do you pronounce “poet”?

“Poet” is pronounced POH-iht (/ˈpoʊ.ət/ in IPA).

How do you use “poet” in a sentence?

Here is “poet” used in a sentence: “She has been a published poet for over twenty years.”

What part of speech is “poet”?

“Poet” is a noun.

Where does the word “poet” come from?

The word “poet” comes from Greek. From Greek poietes, "maker, creator," from poieo, "to make.".

Is “poet” a common word?

“Poet” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “poet” have?

“Poet” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who writes poems.

What is the difference between a 'poet' and a 'writer'?

A poet is a person who writes poems, a form built on rhythm, imagery, and often line breaks or rhyme. 'Writer' is the broader term covering anyone who writes, including novelists, journalists, and essayists. Every poet is a writer, but not every writer is a poet.

What is the difference between a 'poet' and a 'poet laureate'?

A poet is simply someone who writes poems. A poet laureate is a poet given an official honorary title, often by a country or institution, to represent poetry publicly for a set term. The laureate role is a formal appointment, not just a description of the work.

Can 'poet' describe someone who does not write poems?

Yes, in a figurative sense. 'Poet' can describe someone with an unusually creative or romantic way of seeing the world, as in calling a thoughtful cook or photographer 'a poet in their field.' Used this way it praises imagination rather than literally meaning they write verse.

People Also Searched

author writer rapper novelist songwriter bard