rhyme
rym
Rhyme (noun) means a similarity of sound between the endings of words, especially at the ends of lines of verse. Example: “The poem's rhyme scheme follows an ABAB pattern.”
noun
1
A similarity of sound between the endings of words, especially at the ends of lines of verse.
"The poem's rhyme scheme follows an ABAB pattern."
"The song's chorus has a catchy rhyme that sticks in your head."
"Poets often use a rhyme at the end of every second line."
2
A short poem or verse, especially one with rhyming lines.
"She taught her daughter a nursery rhyme before bed."
"The children recited a rhyme about a spider climbing up a spout."
"He wrote a funny rhyme for his sister's birthday card."
verb
1
Of a word, to end with the same sound as another word.
""Cat" rhymes with "hat.""
"Does "moon" rhyme with "spoon" in your accent?"
"The words "love" and "move" look similar but do not rhyme."
2
To write in verse, using words that match in sound.
"He rhymed his way through the entire toast."
"The rapper loves to rhyme about everyday life in his hometown."
"She rhymed cleverly in every verse of the school play."
How to use rhyme
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWords that end in matching sounds, or verse built from such words.
Common pairings
rhyme scheme
nursery rhyme
without rhyme or reason
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Word forms
- Plural
- rhymes
- Third person singular
- rhymes
- Past tense
- rhymed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The poem's _____ scheme follows an ABAB pattern.
Etymology
From Middle English rime, possibly from Latin rhythmus (from Greek rhythmos, "measured flow"), or from an old Frankish word meaning "number, sequence" — the two influences merged over time, giving the modern "rh-" spelling.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for rhyme
See all rhymes for rhyme →Frequently asked questions
What does “rhyme” mean?
The word “rhyme” means a similarity of sound between the endings of words, especially at the ends of lines of verse. In plain terms, words that end in matching sounds, or verse built from such words.
How do you pronounce “rhyme”?
“Rhyme” is pronounced rym (/ɹaɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “rhyme” in a sentence?
Here is “rhyme” used in a sentence: “The poem's rhyme scheme follows an ABAB pattern.”
What part of speech is “rhyme”?
Depending on how it is used, “rhyme” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “rhyme” come from?
The word “rhyme” comes from Latin.
Is “rhyme” a common word?
“Rhyme” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “rhyme” have?
“Rhyme” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a similarity of sound between the endings of words, especially at the ends of lines of verse.
What is the difference between rhyme and rhythm?
Rhyme refers to a similarity of sound between the endings of words, especially at the ends of lines of verse, while rhythm refers to the pattern of stressed and unstressed beats or syllables in language or music. A poem can have rhythm without rhyme, and vice versa, since the two describe different aspects of sound.
What is the difference between rhyme and a poem?
A rhyme can refer to a short poem or verse, especially one with rhyming lines, while a poem is a broader term covering any piece of writing structured with attention to rhythm, imagery, or language, whether or not it rhymes. In casual use, "rhyme" often specifically implies rhyming lines, whereas "poem" does not require rhyme at all.
Do all poems need to rhyme?
No, not all poems need to rhyme; many poems, such as free verse, rely on rhythm, imagery, and other techniques instead of matching end sounds. Rhyme is one poetic device among several, not a requirement for something to be considered a poem.
