metrical

[ me-tri-kuhl ]

adjective

1. pertaining to meter or poetic measure.
2. composed in meter or verse.
3. pertaining to measurement.

metrical

/ ˈmɛtrɪkəl; ˈmɛtrɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to measurement
2. of or in poetic metre

Derived Forms

• ˈmetrically, adverb

Other Words From

• metri·cal·ly adverb
• met·ri·cism [me, -tr, uh, -siz-, uh, m], me·tric·i·ty [me-, tris, -i-tee, mi-], noun
• non·metri·cal adjective
• non·metri·cal·ly adverb
• un·metri·cal adjective
• un·metri·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of metrical¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Late Latin metric ( us ) ( metric ² ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

The piano soloist works out asymmetrical accents from interlocking metrical units while also maintaining composure in scales and running 16th notes.

From New York Times

Verdi worked with inspired diligence to shape his musical lines to metrical rhythms subtly different from Italian.

From New York Times

Following the haiku are some poems in other metrical formats.

From Washington Post

“Literally, every single one of the 39 respective notes of ‘7 Rings’ is identical with the 39 notes of ‘I Got It’ from a metrical placement perspective,” claims the suit.

From Fox News

Here, in Globish—with plus signs indicating missing words that Terry apparently doesn’t want to guess at and vertical lines demarcating metrical units—are the trapper’s instructions to Shamhat for seducing Enkidu:

From The New Yorker