noun
lyre
LEYE-uh
Lyre (noun) means a small stringed instrument from ancient Greece, with two arms rising from a body to a crossbar, plucked like a harp. Example: “In Greek myth, Hermes is said to have invented the lyre from a tortoise shell.”
noun
1
A small stringed instrument from ancient Greece, with two arms rising from a body to a crossbar, plucked like a harp.
"In Greek myth, Hermes is said to have invented the lyre from a tortoise shell."
"The musician plucked a haunting melody on the lyre."
How to use lyre
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn ancient harp-like stringed instrument associated with Greek mythology and poetry.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "liar" (someone who tells lies) — they sound identical but are unrelated.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- lyres
- Third person singular
- lyres
- Past tense
- lyred
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
In Greek myth, Hermes is said to have invented the _____ from a tortoise shell.
Etymology
From Latin lyra, from Ancient Greek lura — a doublet of "lyric" and the constellation "Lyra".
Synonyms
View more →
yoke lute
Rhymes for lyre
See all rhymes for lyre →Frequently asked questions
What does “lyre” mean?
The word “lyre” means a small stringed instrument from ancient Greece, with two arms rising from a body to a crossbar, plucked like a harp. In plain terms, an ancient harp-like stringed instrument associated with Greek mythology and poetry.
How do you pronounce “lyre”?
“Lyre” is pronounced LEYE-uh (/ˈlaɪ.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “lyre” in a sentence?
Here is “lyre” used in a sentence: “In Greek myth, Hermes is said to have invented the lyre from a tortoise shell.”
What is another word for “lyre”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lyre” include yoke lute.
What part of speech is “lyre”?
“Lyre” is a noun.
Where does the word “lyre” come from?
The word “lyre” comes from Ancient Greek. From Latin lyra, from Ancient Greek lura — a doublet of "lyric" and the constellation "Lyra".
