poetry

American  

[poh-i-tree] / ˈpoʊ ɪ tri /

noun

1. the art of rhythmical composition, written or spoken, for exciting pleasure by beautiful, imaginative, or elevated thoughts.

2. literary work in metrical form; verse.

   Antonyms:

   prose

3. prose with poetic qualities.

4. poetic qualities however manifested.

   the poetry of simple acts and things.

5. poetic spirit or feeling.

   The pianist played the prelude with poetry.

6. something suggestive of or likened to poetry.

   the pure poetry of a beautiful view on a clear day.

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poetry British  

/ ˈpəʊɪtrɪ /

noun

1. literature in metrical form; verse

2. the art or craft of writing verse

3. poetic qualities, spirit, or feeling in anything

4. anything resembling poetry in rhythm, beauty, etc

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Usage

What is poetry? Poetry is literature that is written in verse and emphasizes the rhythmic use of words to create imagery.  Works of poetry are called poems. A person who writes poetry is called a poet.Poetry is a major form of literature. The biggest difference that sets poetry apart from other forms of writing is that poetry uses verse, which is concerned with meter, rather than prose, which does not. Poetry also may not use complete sentences or punctuation marks. Instead, poetry places an importance on using words and syllables that give rhythm to a poem.There are many different forms of poetry, such as haiku, elegies, and sonnets. While some types of poems have rules on how they should be written, poets often break the rules if the poem will be better for it. You can find more information about these and other forms of poetry in our article, “12 Essential Types of Poetry.”

Related Words

Poetry, verse agree in referring to the work of a poet. The difference between poetry and verse is usually the difference between substance and form. Poetry is lofty thought or impassioned feeling expressed in imaginative words: Elizabethan poetry. Verse is any expression in words which simply conforms to accepted metrical rules and structure: the differences between prose and verse.

Other Word Forms

• poetryless adjective

Etymology

Origin of poetry

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English poetrie, from Medieval Latin poētria “poetic art,” derivative of poēta poet, but formation is unclear; probably not from Greek poiḗtria “poetess”

Example Sentences

Kazan found in both writers more than enough poetry and grit to satisfy the new breed of realistic actor he was showcasing on stage and screen.

From Los Angeles Times

What is a poet to do when no one reads poetry anymore?

From The Wall Street Journal

Yes, she had been writing poetry since she was in grade two.

From Literature

Arranged chronologically, the exhibition explores the products of each of Seurat’s summers in Normandy, and the quiet poetry of the paintings his admirers cherished.

From The Wall Street Journal

Monday’s item on the booming deer population in Massachusetts and the movement to allow hunting on Sundays has inspired poetry from a longtime reader:

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• verse