verse
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for verse, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Writing arranged with rhythm and often rhyme, as in poetry.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use verse
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English fers and Old French vers, both ultimately from Latin versus, "a line of writing" — literally "a turn", since a line of writing "turns" back at its end like a plough furrow.
Full origin of verse →Frequently asked questions
What does “verse” mean?
The word “verse” means writing arranged with rhythm and often rhyme, as in poetry. In plain terms, poetic or rhythmic writing, a section of a song, or a numbered line in a sacred text.
How do you pronounce “verse”?
“Verse” is pronounced VURS (/ˈvɝs/ in IPA).
How do you use “verse” in a sentence?
Here is “verse” used in a sentence: “He wrote the wedding toast in verse rather than plain prose.”
What part of speech is “verse”?
“Verse” is a noun.
Where does the word “verse” come from?
The word “verse” comes from Latin. From Old English fers and Old French vers, both ultimately from Latin versus, "a line of writing" — literally "a turn", since a line of writing "turns" back at its end like a plough furrow.
Is “verse” a common word?
“Verse” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “verse” have?
“Verse” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: writing arranged with rhythm and often rhyme, as in poetry.
What is the difference between verse and prose?
Verse is writing arranged with deliberate rhythm and often rhyme, as in poetry, while prose is ordinary writing organised in sentences and paragraphs without a set metrical pattern. In short, poems are typically written in verse, whereas essays, novels, and articles are written in prose.
What is the difference between a verse and a chorus in a song?
A verse is a repeated section of a song's lyrics that usually changes its words each time to advance the story, while the chorus repeats the same words and melody to anchor the song. The verse builds the narrative, and the chorus delivers the memorable, recurring hook.
What is the difference between a verse and a stanza in poetry?
In careful usage, a stanza is a grouped block of lines in a poem, while verse more broadly refers to metrical writing itself, though verse is also used casually to mean a single stanza. When precision matters, use stanza for the distinct grouped section of lines.