poetaster

American  

[poh-it-as-ter] / ˈpoʊ ɪtˌæs tər /

noun

1. an inferior poet; a writer of indifferent verse.

   Synonyms:

   rhymester

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poetaster British  

/ -ˈteɪ-, ˌpəʊɪˈtæstə /

noun

1. a writer of inferior verse

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Other Word Forms

• poetastering noun
• poetasterism noun
• poetastery noun
• poetastric adjective
• poetastrical adjective
• poetastry noun

Etymology

Origin of poetaster

1590–1600; < Medieval Latin or New Latin; see poet, -aster ¹

Example Sentences

Heti’s detractors could probably put a bottle in the middle of a table and entertain themselves reading lines out of context in suave, poetaster voices.

From New York Times • Feb. 7, 2022

While it failed to prove conclusively either that travel is broadening or that Peg is even a bottom-rung poetaster, it did give him a chance for a rare and sardonic bow to his critics.

From Time Magazine Archive

Because such images are her best accomplishment, Kay Boyle takes rank as a vivid poetaster.

From Time Magazine Archive

With which brave words Ireland's exiled poetaster and throat specialist.

From Time Magazine Archive

But jealousy of his fame could be found among men of much higher pretensions than this wretched poetaster.

From James Fenimore Cooper American Men of Letters by Lounsbury, Thomas Raynesford