single rhyme: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (technical/poetry-specific)Formal, Literary, Academic
Quick answer
What does “single rhyme” mean?
A rhyme in which the correspondence of sounds is limited to the final stressed syllable.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A rhyme in which the correspondence of sounds is limited to the final stressed syllable.
In more detailed poetic analysis, a rhyme involving only one syllable, typically where the vowel sounds and any following consonant sounds in the stressed final syllables of the words are identical (e.g., 'cat' / 'hat'). Contrasted with double or triple rhymes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is used identically in literary analysis in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral, technical.
Frequency
Equally rare in general use, but standard within the field of poetry and linguistics.
Grammar
How to Use “single rhyme” in a Sentence
The poem is built on single rhyme.He preferred single rhyme to more complex schemes.The term describes a rhyme between X and Y.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “single rhyme” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The ballad's relentless single rhyme can create a hypnotic effect.
- Hopkins sometimes broke from traditional single rhyme.
American English
- The poet's use of single rhyme made the verses punchy and direct.
- Analyze the switch from single rhyme to double rhyme in line eight.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, poetry workshops, and linguistics papers on phonology or verse structure.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would only be used in specific discussions about poetry.
Technical
Core term in prosody and poetic analysis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “single rhyme”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “single rhyme”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “single rhyme”
- Using 'single rhyme' to mean 'only one rhyme in a whole poem' instead of a type of rhyming syllable.
- Confusing it with 'imperfect rhyme' or 'slant rhyme'. Single rhyme can be perfect (e.g., night/light) or imperfect (e.g., prove/love).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in most contexts they are synonymous. 'Masculine rhyme' specifically refers to a single rhyme where the final syllable is stressed (e.g., 'decide' / 'reside'). All masculine rhymes are single rhymes, and most single rhymes are masculine, though an unstressed final syllable single rhyme is possible in some analyses.
The direct opposite is a double rhyme (or feminine rhyme), where the rhyming correspondence extends over two syllables (e.g., 'pleasure' / 'measure'). Triple rhyme is an even more extended form.
Yes. The term describes the scope (one syllable), not the quality. A single rhyme can be perfect (exact: 'gate' / 'late') or imperfect/slant ('gate' / 'get').
Primarily in academic writing about poetry, in guides to writing verse, or in advanced English literature classes. It is not a term used in everyday conversation.
A rhyme in which the correspondence of sounds is limited to the final stressed syllable.
Single rhyme is usually formal, literary, academic in register.
Single rhyme: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɪŋ.ɡəl ˈraɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɪŋ.ɡəl ˈraɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SINGLE tennis player playing alone on one court. A SINGLE rhyme involves just one syllable sounding alone.
Conceptual Metaphor
RHYME IS A MATCH/CORRESPONDENCE. A SINGLE rhyme is a BASIC or UNITARY match.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following pairs is an example of a single rhyme?