couplet

noun

cou·​plet ˈkə-plət 

1

: two successive lines of verse forming a unit marked usually by rhythmic correspondence, rhyme, or the inclusion of a self-contained utterance : distich

She ended her poem with a rhyming couplet.

2

: couple

Synonyms

• brace
• couple
• duo
• dyad
• pair
• twain
• twosome

Examples of couplet in a Sentence

a poem made up of six couplets

a couplet of statues flank the entrance to the church

Recent Examples on the Web

This cheerfully genre-crossing autobiographical novel is told in rhyming couplets with some prose sections interspersed. —Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2025

And that repeating first couplet — which comprises six of the poem’s 18 lines and occupied the first day of this challenge — will surely jingle in your pocket for a long time to come. —A.o. Scott, New York Times, 2 May 2025

At the opening ceremony, lion dancers congratulated Wei with red couplets, according to a post on Instagram. —Bloomberg News, Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2025

Durk seemed to be intentional with every couplet while showcasing his entire artistic repertoire. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, diminutive of Old French cuple, couple — see couple entry 1

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing couplet

• closed couplet
• heroic couplet

Kids Definition

couplet

noun

cou·​plet ˈkəp-lət 

: two lines of verse that follow in order and form a unit

especially : two rhyming lines of the same length