rhyme scheme: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Literary/Academic
Quick answer
What does “rhyme scheme” mean?
the pattern of rhymes at the ends of lines in a poem.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the pattern of rhymes at the ends of lines in a poem.
The ordered arrangement of rhyming words in a stanza or poem, typically represented using letters to indicate which lines rhyme with each other (e.g., ABAB).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning; usage is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
The term carries the same literary/technical connotation in both regions.
Frequency
Equally frequent in literary and educational contexts in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “rhyme scheme” in a Sentence
The rhyme scheme of [poem/verse]A rhyme scheme consisting of [pattern]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “rhyme scheme” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- No verb form
American English
- No verb form
adverb
British English
- No adverb form
American English
- No adverb form
adjective
British English
- No adjective form
American English
- No adjective form
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Common in literary studies, poetry analysis, and creative writing courses.
Everyday
Rare; mostly used in educational settings or discussions about poetry.
Technical
Standard term in prosody (the study of verse).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “rhyme scheme”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “rhyme scheme”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rhyme scheme”
- Using 'rhyme scheme' to refer to any sound repetition in a poem.
- Confusing it with 'meter' or 'rhythm'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, poets often use different rhyme schemes in different stanzas or sections.
No, by definition, free verse does not follow a regular rhyme scheme.
Using letters (A, B, C, etc.) to mark each new end‑sound. Lines that rhyme get the same letter.
A limerick typically follows the rhyme scheme AABBA.
the pattern of rhymes at the ends of lines in a poem.
Rhyme scheme is usually literary/academic in register.
Rhyme scheme: in British English it is pronounced /ˈraɪm skiːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈraɪm skim/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'scheme' as a plan. A 'rhyme scheme' is the planned pattern of rhyming words at the end of each line.
Conceptual Metaphor
PATTERN IS A BLUEPRINT (The rhyme scheme provides the structural blueprint for the poem).
Practice
Quiz
What does a 'rhyme scheme' describe?