poetry

[ poh-i-tree ]

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.

poetry

/ 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

Other Words From

• poet·ry·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of poetry¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of poetry¹

C14: from Medieval Latin poētria, from Latin poēta poet

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Arsenal forward Alessia Russo unlocks her phone to reveal her go-to songs, poetry skills and the football idol she chats to on social media.

From BBC

Sondheim and Weidman administer this lesson with musical theater poetry.

From Los Angeles Times

Connor has more facility with the poetry; Zegler is in her element when expressing her character in song.

From Los Angeles Times

Simon Godwin’s production, which aired on PBS, proved it was possible to be dynamically contemporary while still faithful to the tragedy’s true source of timelessness, its dramatic poetry.

From Los Angeles Times

Fox’s Instagram caption seemingly references her previous miscarriage, which she wrote about in her 2023 poetry collection, “Pretty Boys Are Poisonous.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• verse