rhyme

1 of 2

noun

ˈrīm 

variants or less commonly rime

1

a(1)

: rhyming verse

(2)

: poetry

b

: a composition in verse that rhymes

2

a

: correspondence in terminal sounds of units of composition or utterance (such as two or more words or lines of verse)

b

: one of two or more words thus corresponding in sound

c

: correspondence of other than terminal word sounds: such as

(1)

: alliteration

(2)

: internal rhyme

3

: rhythm, measure

rhymeless adjective

rhyme

2 of 2

verb

variants or less commonly rime

rhymed also rimed; rhyming also riming

transitive verb

1

: to relate or praise in rhyming verse

2

a

: to put into rhyme

b

: to compose (verse) in rhyme

c

: to cause to rhyme : use as rhyme

intransitive verb

1

: to make rhymes

also : to compose rhyming verse

2

of a word or verse : to end in syllables that are rhymes

3

: to be in accord : harmonize

rhymer noun

Synonyms

Verb

• accord
• agree
• answer
• check
• chord
• cohere
• coincide
• comport
• conform
• consist
• correspond
• dovetail
• fit
• go
• harmonize
• jibe
• sort
• square
• tally

Examples of rhyme in a Sentence

Noun

She used “moon” as a rhyme for “June.”

He couldn't think of a rhyme for “orange.”

They're learning about meter and rhyme.

Verb

Please find the two lines that rhyme.

She rhymed “moon” with “June.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But Drake understandably didn’t fire off his lawsuit then, as ricochets from rich college quads (hip-hop’s prime audience) could have killed his image even more than Lamar’s rhymes did. —Bill Hochberg, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025

His rhymes are well written, well executed, and spit with intention. —Kyle Eustice, SPIN, 6 Jan. 2025

Verb

Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz bring rhyming names and rhyming lyrics to AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! —Kristal Dixon, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025

Recent triggers may have rhymed a lot with past scenarios that left you feeling victimized, and that’s definitely the kind of thing that can lead to a trauma response. —Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English rime, from Anglo-French

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing rhyme

• beginning rhyme
• eye rhyme
• head rhyme
• initial rhyme
• internal rhyme
• nursery rhyme
• rhyme or reason
• rhyme royal
• rhyme scheme
• sight rhyme
• vowel rhyme

Kids Definition

rhyme

1 of 2 noun

variants also rime

ˈrīm

1

a

: close similarity in the final sounds of two or more words or lines of verse

b

: one of two or more words having this similarity in sound

2

a

: rhyming verse

b

: a composition in verse that rhymes

rhyme

2 of 2 verb

variants also rime

rhymed also rimed; rhyming also riming

1

a

: to make rhymes : put into rhyme

b

: to compose rhyming verse

2

: to end in syllables that rhyme

3

: to cause to rhyme : use as rhyme

rhymed "moon" with "June"

rhymer noun