ENGLISH
REFERENCE

poet

n.
US //ˈpoʊət// UK //pˈəʊɪt// po·et
  1. 1 writer of poems (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a person who writes poems.

    a person who composes poetry, either as a profession or an artistic practice.

    Example

    The poet read her latest work to a small audience at the library.

    Example

    The poet spent years refining his sonnet cycle, seeking a publisher who would appreciate the intricate meter and classical allusions.
  2. 2 creative person (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    a person who has a very creative, romantic, or artistic imagination.

    an individual characterized by a creative or romantic imagination and a sensitive, expressive nature.

    Example

    He is a poet at heart, always finding beauty in the simplest things.

    Example

    Even in his technical drawings, he revealed himself to be a poet, imbuing functional blueprints with an unexpected grace and symmetry.

    Usage

    Often used metaphorically to describe someone's temperament rather than their literal occupation.
Origin

From Middle English poete, from Old French poete, from Latin poēta (“poet, author”), from Ancient Greek ποιητής (poiētḗs, “creator, maker, author, poet”), from ποιέω (poiéō, “to make, compose”). Displaced native Old English sċop. Doublet of piyyut.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 19, 2026