What is the Latin word for poet?

The usual Latin words for “poet” are poēta, scrīptor, condō; also vātēs. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“poet” in Latin

poētapoet scrīptorwriter, author; scribe condōto put together; to build, establish; form, fashion; make, construct; to put away, store or treasure up; preserve; inter vātēsseer, soothsayer, diviner, prophet, prophetess; poet, poetess, bard; oracle

The English word poet itself goes back to Latin poēta.

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

poet

poeta; pure Latin, carminum auctor, scriptor, conditor (an author of verses): vates (as an inspired bard). A poet-born, ad carmina condenda natus.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for poet?: The usual Latin words for “poet” are poēta, scrīptor, condō; also vātēs. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.