monorhyme: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Literary, Technical
Quick answer
What does “monorhyme” mean?
A poem or stanza in which all the lines have the same end rhyme.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A poem or stanza in which all the lines have the same end rhyme.
The use of a single, repeated rhyme sound throughout a poem or section of verse, creating a persistent, unified auditory effect.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage; it is a technical term used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Slight association with the study of classical or Middle Eastern verse forms in academic contexts.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language; used almost exclusively in literary analysis, poetry workshops, and university English departments.
Grammar
How to Use “monorhyme” in a Sentence
The poem is written in monorhyme.The poet employs a strict monorhyme.A monorhyme unifies the stanza.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “monorhyme” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The monorhyme structure can become hypnotic.
American English
- His monorhyme verse experiment was surprisingly effective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Central term in prosody and comparative literature when analysing specific poetic forms.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Precise term in poetry analysis and composition handbooks.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “monorhyme”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “monorhyme”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monorhyme”
- Misspelling as 'monorime' or 'monoryme'.
- Using it to mean a boring or monotonous poem rather than a specific rhyme structure.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. While it presents a lexical challenge, skilled poets use it to create intensity, focus, or a hypnotic effect. Its difficulty is part of its artistic value.
Yes, though it's rare. It can create a strong, memorable hook or chorus due to the repetition of the same sound.
'Rhyme' is the general concept of similar ending sounds. 'Monorhyme' is a specific pattern where *only one* rhyme sound is used throughout an entire piece or section.
Yes, in standard rhyme scheme notation, 'AAAA' indicates a four-line stanza (or poem) where all lines rhyme, which is the definition of a monorhyme.
A poem or stanza in which all the lines have the same end rhyme.
Monorhyme is usually formal, literary, technical in register.
Monorhyme: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɒnəʊraɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɑːnoʊraɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MONO (one) + RHYME. Just one rhyme sound used over and over again.
Conceptual Metaphor
UNITY IS REPETITION (the repeated sound binds the poem into a single sonic unit).
Practice
Quiz
In which poetic tradition is monorhyme a particularly common feature?