masculine rhyme: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Literary
Quick answer
What does “masculine rhyme” mean?
A rhyme between single stressed syllables at the ends of lines of poetry (e.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A rhyme between single stressed syllables at the ends of lines of poetry (e.g., 'drain'/'brain').
In prosody, a rhyme involving a single stressed syllable without any following unstressed syllables; contrasted with feminine rhyme, which extends to an unstressed syllable. It often creates a blunt, decisive, or forceful effect.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or application. The term is used identically in both literary traditions.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in academia and literary criticism. Awareness of gendered language may lead some modern writers to prefer alternatives like 'single rhyme' or 'strong rhyme'.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both variants, confined to poetry analysis, linguistics, and literary studies.
Grammar
How to Use “masculine rhyme” in a Sentence
X employs/uses masculine rhymeThe rhyme in Y is masculinemasculine rhyme between A and BVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “masculine rhyme” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The poet's masculine rhyme scheme creates a staccato rhythm.
- He preferred the more decisive feel of a masculine rhyme.
American English
- The masculine rhyme pattern gave the verse a punchy quality.
- A masculine rhyme ending can make a line feel more final.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, poetry workshops, and linguistics papers on prosody.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in metrics and poetics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “masculine rhyme”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “masculine rhyme”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “masculine rhyme”
- Confusing it with a rhyme that has 'masculine' or male-themed content.
- Using it to describe a 'strong' or 'good' rhyme irrespective of its syllabic structure.
- Misspelling as 'masculin rhyme'.
- Assuming it applies only to words referring to males.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The terminology originates from traditional gender associations (strength/simplicity = masculine, weakness/complexity = feminine). While still standard in technical prosody, many modern scholars prefer the more descriptive terms 'single rhyme' or 'strong rhyme'.
Yes, if the rhyme occurs only on the final stressed syllable. For example, 'comPLAIN'/'reMAIN' is a masculine rhyme because only the stressed 'PLAIN' and 'MAIN' syllables rhyme; the following unstressed syllables do not match.
The direct opposite is a 'feminine rhyme' (or 'double rhyme'), where the rhyming stressed syllable is followed by one or more identical unstressed syllables (e.g., 'dazzling'/'grazing'; 'motion'/'ocean').
It is ubiquitous but is often particularly dominant in short, punchy forms like couplets, epigrams, and in poems aiming for a forceful, abrupt, or decisive rhythm. Iambic pentameter frequently mixes masculine and feminine rhymes.
A rhyme between single stressed syllables at the ends of lines of poetry (e.
Masculine rhyme is usually technical/literary in register.
Masculine rhyme: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmæskjəlɪn ˌraɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmæskjələn ˌraɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'MASCuline' for 'Single & Strong': it's a single, strong syllable rhyme.
Conceptual Metaphor
LINGUISTIC STRUCTURE IS GENDER (a historical/conventional metaphor, now often critiqued). STRENGTH IS SIMPLICITY.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a masculine rhyme?