anapest: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Literary, Technical
Quick answer
What does “anapest” mean?
A metrical foot in poetry consisting of two short or unstressed syllables followed by one long or stressed syllable (˘ ˘ ¯).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A metrical foot in poetry consisting of two short or unstressed syllables followed by one long or stressed syllable (˘ ˘ ¯).
The rhythmic pattern or a line of verse composed of such feet; more broadly, any instance of this pattern in speech or music.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK 'anapaest' is common alongside 'anapest'; US almost exclusively uses 'anapest'.
Connotations
Identical technical meaning. No difference in connotation.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, limited to specialist contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “anapest” in a Sentence
The [POEM] is written in [anapests].The line consists of four [anapests].He analysed the [anapest].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anapest” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The poem's anapaestic rhythm gives it a galloping feel.
- He preferred anapaestic metres for comic verse.
American English
- The anapestic meter creates a lively, driving pace.
- Her anapestic verses are famously catchy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in literature, poetry, and linguistics departments when analysing poetic metre.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only be used by someone discussing poetry technically.
Technical
The primary context. A standard term in prosody and poetic scansion.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anapest”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anapest”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anapest”
- Mispronouncing it with stress on the first syllable (/ˈæn.ə.pɛst/ is correct).
- Confusing it with 'dactyl', which has the opposite stress pattern (stressed, unstressed, unstressed).
- Using it in non-literary contexts where it would be opaque.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An anapest has the pattern unstressed-unstressed-stressed (˘ ˘ ¯), while a dactyl has the opposite: stressed-unstressed-unstressed (¯ ˘ ˘). They are inverses of each other.
No, it is a highly specialised term used almost exclusively in the study and discussion of poetry and metre.
Yes, the word 'understand' (un-der-STAND) follows the anapestic pattern: two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed one.
'Anapaest' reflects the original Greek spelling more closely and is preferred in UK English. 'Anapest' is a simplified American English spelling that has become standard in the US and is also widely accepted internationally.
A metrical foot in poetry consisting of two short or unstressed syllables followed by one long or stressed syllable (˘ ˘ ¯).
Anapest is usually formal, literary, technical in register.
Anapest: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæn.ə.pest/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæn.ə.pest/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'an-a-PEST' – the stress is on the last syllable, just like in the foot itself (unstressed, unstressed, STRESSED).
Conceptual Metaphor
RHYTHM IS A FOOT (part of the conceptual metaphor of prosody where units of rhythm are 'feet').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes an anapest?