rhyme

1 of 2

noun

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)
3
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Some adolescents like to journal, write poetry, lyrics, or rhymes. Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 2 Dec. 2024 The square container rhymes with the square shape of our book. Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 25 Nov. 2024
Verb
Spinelli’s rhyming text and Preston’s sprightly pastel illustrations (reminiscent of Quentin Blake) will prompt gratitude for all the fun that can be conjured from the familiar. Jennifer Hubert Swan, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024 If history rhymes then bonds, especially the vanilla kind issued by the US Treasury, will not appeal to investors this time around either. Brett Owens, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rhyme 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rhyme was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near rhyme

Cite this Entry

“Rhyme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhyme. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on rhyme

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!