hexasyllable: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Literary
Quick answer
What does “hexasyllable” mean?
A word or metrical line consisting of exactly six syllables.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A word or metrical line consisting of exactly six syllables.
A term used in prosody (the study of verse) and linguistics to classify words or metrical feet by their syllable count. In poetry, it often refers to a six-syllable line or verse.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or usage. The term is equally technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Scholarly, precise, associated with the analysis of poetic form or linguistic structure.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general usage, confined almost exclusively to academic discussions of poetry or phonology.
Grammar
How to Use “hexasyllable” in a Sentence
[The poem] is written in hexasyllables.[This word] is a hexasyllable.The line consists of a single hexasyllable.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hexasyllable” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The hexasyllable line creates a brisk rhythm.
- He analysed the hexasyllable structure.
American English
- The hexasyllable verse form is less common.
- Identify the hexasyllable phrases.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in linguistics, poetry analysis, and literary criticism to describe metrical or phonological structure.
Everyday
Almost never encountered.
Technical
The primary domain of use. Precise term for classification in prosody.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hexasyllable”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hexasyllable”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hexasyllable”
- Mispronouncing the 'x' as /gz/ (like in 'exact'); it is /ks/.
- Using it to describe any long word, rather than specifically a six-syllable one.
- Confusing it with 'hexameter'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialized technical term used almost exclusively in the study of poetry (prosody) and linguistics.
Yes, though they are rare in English. 'Abibliophobia' (fear of running out of reading material) is an example of a hexasyllable: a-bi-bli-o-pho-bi-a.
A hexasyllable has six syllables. A hexameter is a line of verse with six metrical feet, which can contain a variable number of syllables (often 12-17). They are related but distinct concepts.
Unless you are studying poetry, versification, or phonological word structure, you are very unlikely to need it. It is a word for specialists.
A word or metrical line consisting of exactly six syllables.
Hexasyllable is usually technical/literary in register.
Hexasyllable: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɛk.səˌsɪ.lə.bəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɛk.səˌsɪ.lə.bəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'hexa-' like a hexagon (six sides) and 'syllable'. A hexasyllable is a word-shaped object with six syllable-sides.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEASUREMENT/CONTAINER (A word or line is a container holding a specific, countable quantity of syllables).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'hexasyllable' primarily used?