strophe: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / AdvancedLiterary, Technical (Poetry/Literary Analysis), Formal
Quick answer
What does “strophe” mean?
A stanza, or a repeated group of lines, in a poem or song.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A stanza, or a repeated group of lines, in a poem or song.
In ancient Greek drama, the first part of an ode sung by the chorus as they move across the stage; hence, any structured poetic unit.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Scholarly, literary, technical.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialized in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “strophe” in a Sentence
[N] + strophe + [prepositional phrase] (e.g., 'a strophe of four lines')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “strophe” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- strophic structure
- strophic form
American English
- strophic structure
- strophic form
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, poetry analysis, and classical studies to describe formal divisions of poems, especially in Greek lyric poetry and odes.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Used in musicology to describe repeated sections of hymns or songs, and in prosody to analyse metrical patterns.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “strophe”
- Pronouncing it as /strɒf/ (like 'trophy').
- Using it as a general word for 'paragraph' in prose.
- Confusing it with 'catastrophe'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern usage, they are often synonyms. However, 'strophe' is more technical and is specifically used in the context of classical Greek poetry or formal analysis, often paired with 'antistrophe'. 'Stanza' is the more general, common term.
Yes, in musicology, 'strophic' form refers to a song where the same music is repeated for each stanza or strophe of the text, like in many hymns and folk songs.
No. It is a C2-level, highly specialized word primarily used in literary, academic, or musical contexts. It is not used in everyday English.
It comes from Greek 'strophē', meaning 'a turning', from 'strephein' ('to turn'). In Greek drama, the chorus turned and moved across the stage while singing the strophe.
A stanza, or a repeated group of lines, in a poem or song.
Strophe is usually literary, technical (poetry/literary analysis), formal in register.
Strophe: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstrəʊfi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstroʊfi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'STROphe' as a 'STanza ROPE' – a structured 'rope' of lines tying a poem together.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CONTAINER FOR POETIC THOUGHT, A BUILDING BLOCK OF A SONG.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'strophe' most appropriately used?