sonnet
SO-niht
Sonnet (noun) means a fourteen-line poem, traditionally in iambic rhythm and following one of a few set rhyme patterns. Example: “Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets.”
noun
1
A fourteen-line poem, traditionally in iambic rhythm and following one of a few set rhyme patterns.
"Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets."
"She entered a sonnet she'd written about the sea into the competition."
verb
1
To write a sonnet, or to write a sonnet praising someone or something.
"The poet sonneted his lost love for years."
How to use sonnet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA short, structured 14-line poem.
Common pairings
write a sonnet
a Shakespearean sonnet
sonnet sequence
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Word forms
- Plural
- sonnets
- Third person singular
- sonnets
- Past tense
- sonneted, sonnetted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Shakespeare wrote 154 _____.
Etymology
From Italian sonetto, "little song," via Old Occitan sonet — ultimately from Latin sonus, "sound."
Rhymes for sonnet
See all rhymes for sonnet →Frequently asked questions
What does “sonnet” mean?
The word “sonnet” means a fourteen-line poem, traditionally in iambic rhythm and following one of a few set rhyme patterns. In plain terms, a short, structured 14-line poem.
How do you pronounce “sonnet”?
“Sonnet” is pronounced SO-niht (/ˈsɒnɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “sonnet” in a sentence?
Here is “sonnet” used in a sentence: “She entered a sonnet she'd written about the sea into the competition.”
What part of speech is “sonnet”?
Depending on how it is used, “sonnet” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “sonnet” come from?
The word “sonnet” comes from Latin. From Italian sonetto, "little song," via Old Occitan sonet — ultimately from Latin sonus, "sound.".
How many meanings does “sonnet” have?
“Sonnet” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fourteen-line poem, traditionally in iambic rhythm and following one of a few set rhyme patterns.
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