A lyrea small harp-like instrument with strings, common in classical antiquity is a stringedhaving strings stretched across it to make sound musical instrument known from ancient Greece. It was often used to accompanyto play or perform together with something else singing or poetry.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /laɪr/
Easy pronunciation: LYRE (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable; stress is on the only syllable.
Ancient Greek stringed instrument, not the bird-name pronunciation.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Lyre Meaning
an old Greek instrument with strings, played with the hands or a plectrum
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a stringed instrument used in ancient Greece for musical accompaniment
Example: The museum displayed a bronze lyre from ancient Greece.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing lyre with a harp. They are related instruments, but they are not the same thing.
- Using lyre to mean any string instrument. In English, it usually refers to the specific ancient Greek instrument.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does lyre mean?
A lyre is an ancient Greek stringed instrument, often associated with singing and poetry.
Is a lyre the same as a harp?
No. A lyre is similar to a harp, but it is a different instrument with its own shape and history.
What part of speech is lyre?
Lyre is a noun.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-30. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
