noun
rhyming words
RY-ming WURDZ
Rhyming words (noun) means Words whose endings sound the same from the last stressed vowel onwards, such as light and night, or station and nation. Example: “Ask the children to find rhyming words for cat.”
noun
1
Words whose endings sound the same from the last stressed vowel onwards, such as light and night, or station and nation.
"Ask the children to find rhyming words for cat."
"The poem is built on a chain of rhyming words at the end of each line."
2
A pair or set of such words used deliberately in poetry, songwriting or teaching.
"Rhyming words help early readers hear the sound patterns in English."
How to use rhyming words
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWords that end with the same sound.
When to use it
Everyday, and heavily used in primary teaching. Note that rhyme is about sound, not spelling.
Memory tip
Spelling is a poor guide: cough and bough do not rhyme, while eight and late do.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
rhyming words for
perfect rhyme
near rhyme
rhyming couplet
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like rhyming words.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Ask the children to find _____ for cat.
Etymology
Rhyme comes via Old French rime from Latin rhythmus and ultimately Greek rhythmos 'measured motion'; the modern spelling with h was influenced by rhythm.
Synonyms
View more →
rhymes
perfect rhymes
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between rhyming words and homophones?
Rhyming words share only their ending sound — cat and hat. Homophones sound identical all the way through but differ in meaning and usually spelling — their, there and they're. Every homophone pair technically rhymes, but rhyming words are usually different words entirely.
What is the difference between rhyme and alliteration?
Rhyme matches sounds at the ends of words, as in dream and stream. Alliteration repeats the sound at the beginning, as in silver spoon. Poetry often uses both at once.
What are near rhymes?
Near rhymes, also called slant or half rhymes, are words whose endings are similar but not identical, such as shape and keep, or worm and swarm. Songwriters use them constantly because they widen the range of usable words.
What is the meaning of rhyming words?
"rhyming words" (noun) means words whose endings sound the same from the last stressed vowel onwards, such as light and night, or station and nation.
