dodecasyllabic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical / Literary
Quick answer
What does “dodecasyllabic” mean?
Consisting of twelve syllables.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Consisting of twelve syllables.
A verse line or word containing exactly twelve syllables. It is commonly used in prosody (the study of metre and verse) to classify poetic lines.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage between British and American English.
Connotations
Associated with formal literary analysis and technical descriptions of poetry in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both British and American English, confined to specialist contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “dodecasyllabic” in a Sentence
[BE] + dodecasyllabic[adjective] + dodecasyllabic + [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dodecasyllabic” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The alexandrine is a classic dodecasyllabic metre in French poetry.
American English
- The poet meticulously crafted each line to be perfectly dodecasyllabic.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in literary studies, linguistics, and poetry analysis.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary domain of use; a term of art in prosody.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dodecasyllabic”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dodecasyllabic”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dodecasyllabic”
- Misspelling as 'dodecasylabic' (dropping the second 'l') or 'dodecasillabic' (incorrect doubling). Using it to describe a stanza of 12 lines (that is a 'dodecastich').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare, technical term used almost exclusively in the study of poetry and linguistics.
Yes, though it is very rare. The word itself serves as an example, as is 'antidisestablishmentarianism' (12 syllables).
An alexandrine is a specific type of dodecasyllabic line with a fixed caesura (pause) after the sixth syllable, primarily in French and English poetry.
There is no direct single-word antonym, but terms like 'monosyllabic' (one syllable) or 'hexasyllabic' (six syllables) describe lines of different lengths.
Consisting of twelve syllables.
Dodecasyllabic is usually technical / literary in register.
Dodecasyllabic: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdəʊ.dek.ə.sɪˈlæb.ɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdoʊ.dek.ə.sɪˈlæb.ɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'dodeca-' as in a dodecagon (12-sided shape) plus 'syllabic' (syllables). A dodecasyllabic line is a 12-syllable shape for poetry.
Conceptual Metaphor
POETIC FORM IS MEASURED ARCHITECTURE (a line is a structure with a fixed number of syllabic units).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the word 'dodecasyllabic' most likely to be used?