common metre: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialist / Poetic / Literary
Quick answer
What does “common metre” mean?
A specific poetic metre or stanza form in English hymnody, consisting of four lines alternating iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter (8, 6, 8, 6 syllables).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific poetic metre or stanza form in English hymnody, consisting of four lines alternating iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter (8, 6, 8, 6 syllables).
A widely used traditional stanza pattern in English poetry and song, known for its musicality and memorability. It is also used to describe a specific hymn tune that fits this metre (often abbreviated as C.M.).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'metre' (UK) vs. 'meter' (US). The term is equally understood in specialist circles in both varieties.
Connotations
Strongly associated with traditional English hymn singing and folk ballads in both cultures.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general language; used almost exclusively in contexts of poetry, musicology, and religious studies.
Grammar
How to Use “common metre” in a Sentence
The hymn is written in common metre.The poet employed common metre for the ballad.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “common metre” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The common-metre stanza is a hallmark of English hymnody.
American English
- She preferred common-meter hymns for their familiar rhythm.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, musicology, and theology papers to analyse poetic or hymn structures.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in prosody (the study of verse) and hymnody (the study of hymns).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “common metre”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “common metre”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “common metre”
- Misspelling as 'common meter' in British English contexts.
- Confusing it with 'common time' in music (4/4 time signature).
- Using it as a general term for any regular poetic rhythm.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are very similar. Ballad metre is also 8,6,8,6 but is less strict about the iambic foot requirement, making common metre a specific, stricter type of ballad metre.
Yes, the lyrics of 'Amazing Grace' ('Amazing grace, how sweet the sound...') perfectly fit common metre.
No, while most associated with hymns, it is also used in folk ballads, nursery rhymes, and other traditional poetry.
It stands for 'Common Metre', indicating that the words of the hymn are written in that pattern and can be sung to any tune also marked C.M.
A specific poetic metre or stanza form in English hymnody, consisting of four lines alternating iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter (8, 6, 8, 6 syllables).
Common metre is usually specialist / poetic / literary in register.
Common metre: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒmən ˈmiːtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːmən ˈmiːt̬ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Common Metre: Count the beats, four lines neat: EIGHT, SIX, EIGHT, SIX – a hymn's steady clicks.
Conceptual Metaphor
POETIC STRUCTURE IS A MEASURED FRAME / MUSICAL RHYTHM IS A MEASURED PACE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the syllable pattern for common metre?