dimeter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/LowFormal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “dimeter” mean?
A line of verse consisting of two metrical feet.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A line of verse consisting of two metrical feet.
A specific type of poetic meter; in music, a time signature with two beats per measure; in linguistics, a word composed of two elements.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage or definition. Both use the term primarily in academic, literary, or music theory contexts.
Connotations
Highly specialized academic term with no regional connotative differences.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, limited to niche academic discussions on prosody or musicology.
Grammar
How to Use “dimeter” in a Sentence
[be] + [in/with] dimeter[write/compose] + [in] dimeterVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dimeter” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The dimeter lines created a staccato rhythm.
- He analysed the dimeter structure of the hymn.
American English
- The dimeter verses added a punchy feel.
- She preferred the dimeter sections of the poem.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, poetry analysis, and music theory classes.
Everyday
Virtually unknown and unused.
Technical
Precise term in prosody (poetry) and music theory.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dimeter”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dimeter”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dimeter”
- Misspelling as 'diameter' (a geometric term).
- Confusing it with more common meters like 'pentameter'.
- Using it as a general adjective (e.g., 'a dimeter room').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialized term used almost exclusively in academic discussions of poetry (prosody) or music theory.
'Dimeter' refers to a two-part meter in verse or music. 'Diameter' is a straight line passing from side to side through the center of a circle. They are different words with different meanings.
Many nursery rhymes or short hymns use dimeter. For example, the lines 'I had / a lit- / tle nut- / tree' from the nursery rhyme can be scanned as trochaic dimeter.
No, 'dimeter' is almost exclusively used as a noun (the meter itself) or, less commonly, as an adjective (describing a line or verse). It is not used as a verb or adverb.
A line of verse consisting of two metrical feet.
Dimeter is usually formal, technical in register.
Dimeter: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɪmɪtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɪmɪtər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Dimeter = DI (two) + METER (measure) – a verse measured in two units.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEASURE/UNIT (treating language rhythm as measurable, countable units).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'dimeter' primarily used?