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Definition of lyre

lyre

/ˈlaɪ.ər/
lyre
Plural:lyres
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lyre Lexical Profile

lyre Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A stringed musical instrument consisting of a soundbox with two curved arms connected by a crossbar, from which strings are stretched to the body, widely used in classical antiquity (especially ancient Greece).

Example

"In Greek mythology, Orpheus played his lyre so beautifully that even the stones and trees were moved to tears."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for lyre

Word Nuance & Usage

The word 'lyre' is a homophone with 'liar' (a person who tells falsehoods), but they are entirely unrelated in meaning and origin.

• Rhymes for lyre

• Nearby Words

lynx
lyon
lyonia
lyre
lyre snake
lyrebird
lysimachia

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English 'lire', derived from Old French 'lire' and Latin 'lyra', which ultimately traces back to the Ancient Greek 'lura'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Lyre. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/lyre
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