noun

iamb

EYE-am

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Iamb (noun) means a metrical foot in verse made up of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. Example: “The line reads as a run of iambs, each one unstressed then stressed.”

noun

literary A metrical foot in verse made up of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.

"The line reads as a run of iambs, each one unstressed then stressed."

"Shakespeare's plays make heavy use of the iamb."

"The poet built the verse from a steady pattern of iambs."

How to use iamb

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn iamb is a two-beat pattern in poetry that goes da-DUM, unstressed then stressed.

When to use it

Iamb is a specialist term used in the study of poetry and prosody.

Memory tip

Despite describing a stress on the second syllable, the word itself is stressed on the first: EYE-am.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

iambic pentameter a run of iambs iambic metre iambic rhythm

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “iamb” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The line reads as a run of _____, each one unstressed then stressed.

Etymology

Iamb entered English from French in the mid-1800s, and the French word itself came from Latin, which had taken it from Ancient Greek. It took over from the older term iambus, which shares the same origin.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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iambus

Antonyms

trochee

Frequently asked questions

What is an iamb in poetry?

An iamb is a metrical foot made of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one, used in the study of verse.

Where does the word iamb come from?

It came into English from French in the mid-1800s, ultimately from a Latin word that traces back to Ancient Greek.

Is iamb the same as iambus?

Iambus is an older term for the same metrical foot; iamb replaced it as the more common word.

What is the meaning of iamb?

"iamb" (noun) means a metrical foot in verse made up of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.