clerihew: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareLiterary / Specialized
Quick answer
What does “clerihew” mean?
A specific, short, humorous, biographical poem of four lines with an AABB rhyme scheme.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific, short, humorous, biographical poem of four lines with an AABB rhyme scheme.
A light verse form named after its creator, Edmund Clerihew Bentley. The first line is usually the name of a person, and the lines are often irregular in length, designed for comic effect.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or use. The form originated in Britain, but it is known and used (albeit rarely) in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes literary playfulness, light verse, and a certain British intellectual wit.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, slightly more likely to be encountered in British literary contexts due to its origin.
Grammar
How to Use “clerihew” in a Sentence
VERB + clerihew (write/compose/invent)ADJECTIVE + clerihew (clever/amusing/biographical)POSSESSIVE + clerihew (Bentley's/His/My) clerihewVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in specialized literary studies or creative writing courses.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
A technical term in poetics/versification.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “clerihew”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “clerihew”
- Pronouncing it as /ˈkler.i.huː/ (incorrect stress or vowel).
- Using it to refer to any short poem.
- Misspelling as 'cleriuew' or 'clerihew'.
- Treating it as a verb (e.g., 'to clerihew someone').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare, specialized literary term known mainly to enthusiasts of poetry and light verse.
Yes, one of Bentley's own: 'Sir Humphry Davy / Abominated gravy. / He lived in the odium / Of having discovered sodium.'
No, it is not normally capitalized unless it begins a sentence, as it has moved from a proper name (Clerihew Bentley) to a common noun for the verse form.
Its main purpose is humorous, often poking gentle fun at a famous person through a brief, witty biographical sketch in verse.
A specific, short, humorous, biographical poem of four lines with an AABB rhyme scheme.
Clerihew is usually literary / specialized in register.
Clerihew: in British English it is pronounced /ˈklɛ.rɪ.hjuː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkler.ə.hjuː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Clerihew CLEARLY HEWs a funny poem from a famous name.
Conceptual Metaphor
A POEM IS A PLAYFUL SKETCH.
Practice
Quiz
What is a defining feature of a clerihew?