english sonnet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal, Literary, Academic
Quick answer
What does “english sonnet” mean?
A poetic form consisting of 14 lines written in iambic pentameter, with a specific rhyme scheme (abab cdcd efef gg), also known as the Shakespearean sonnet.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A poetic form consisting of 14 lines written in iambic pentameter, with a specific rhyme scheme (abab cdcd efef gg), also known as the Shakespearean sonnet.
A structured lyric poem traditionally used for themes of love, time, beauty, or mortality, characterized by its three quatrains and a concluding couplet, which often presents a turn in thought or argument.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. 'Shakespearean sonnet' is slightly more common in general use in both regions. 'English sonnet' is the standard technical term in academic literary studies.
Connotations
In the UK, the term strongly evokes the Tudor and Elizabethan literary canon. In the US, it may be taught more as a formal structure within poetry curricula.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday language; used almost exclusively in literary, educational, or poetic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “english sonnet” in a Sentence
The poet [verb] an English sonnet.An English sonnet [verb] [object].[Subject] is written in the form of an English sonnet.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “english sonnet” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The poet favoured the English sonnet form over the Italian.
American English
- Her workshop focused on English sonnet structure.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in literature and poetry courses to describe and analyze poetic form. Example: 'Her thesis compared the volta in the English and Italian sonnet traditions.'
Everyday
Rarely used. Might occur in book clubs or discussions of classic poetry.
Technical
Precise term in prosody and literary analysis to denote the specific 14-line, 4-stanza structure with its distinct rhyme scheme.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “english sonnet”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “english sonnet”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “english sonnet”
- Using 'English sonnet' to refer to any sonnet written in the English language. Confusing its rhyme scheme with the Italian sonnet's octave-sestet structure.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are synonymous terms. 'Shakespearean sonnet' highlights its most famous practitioner, while 'English sonnet' is the formal, technical name for the structure.
It always has 14 lines, like all traditional sonnets.
The 'volta' or 'turn' is a shift in thought or argument. In an English sonnet, it most commonly occurs at the beginning of the final couplet.
While traditionally associated with love and time, the English sonnet form has been used for a vast range of subjects, including politics, religion, and satire.
A poetic form consisting of 14 lines written in iambic pentameter, with a specific rhyme scheme (abab cdcd efef gg), also known as the Shakespearean sonnet.
English sonnet is usually formal, literary, academic in register.
English sonnet: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɪŋɡlɪʃ ˈsɒnɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɪŋɡlɪʃ ˈsɑːnɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ENGLISH SONNET: Fourteen lines, like England's flag (cross of St. George has a simple, strong structure), grouped in FOUR (quatrains) then a pair (couplet) to conclude the affair.
Conceptual Metaphor
A sonnet is a structured argument; the English sonnet is a three-point essay with a summarizing conclusion.
Practice
Quiz
What is a defining feature of an English sonnet?