trimeter
Low (C2)Formal, Literary, Technical (Prosody)
Definition
Meaning
a line of verse consisting of three metrical feet.
A verse, stanza, or poem composed of such lines. More generally, any metrical pattern or verse form defined by three primary units or measures.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a highly specialized term from prosody (the study of verse structure). It denotes a specific technical count of metrical feet. While the core meaning is precise, it can be used more loosely to describe anything organized in triple measure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical connotations of technical, literary analysis.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, confined to literary and academic contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
noun + in + trimeteradjective + trimetertrimeter + of + noun (type)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this technical term]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in literature, poetry, and classical studies departments when analysing poetic metre.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would likely be unknown to most non-specialists.
Technical
The primary domain. Used as a precise term in prosody and literary criticism.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form]
American English
- [No standard verb form]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form]
American English
- [No standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- The trimeter structure gives the hymn its distinctive rhythmic pulse.
American English
- Her trimeter verse has a brisk, marching quality.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [This word is far above A2 level]
- [This word is far above B1 level]
- The poem's simple trimeter lines make it easy to remember.
- Analysing the shift from iambic pentameter to iambic trimeter reveals the poet's intent to increase tension.
- While pentameter dominates English verse, trimeter is common in folk songs and ballads.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a TRI-cycle (three wheels) and a speedometer (meter/measure). A TRIMETER is a verse line with a three-part measure.
Conceptual Metaphor
POETIC FORM IS ARCHITECTURE (a line is built from a specific number of measured units).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'метр' (metre/measure) as a unit of length. In this context, it's a unit of poetic rhythm.
- Do not translate as 'трехметровый' (three metres long). The correct conceptual equivalent is 'трехстопный размер'.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing as /traɪˈmiːtər/ (like 'tri-' in 'tripod'). Correct first syllable is /ˈtrɪm-/ (like 'trim').
- Using it to describe a three-line stanza (which is a tercet or triplet), rather than a line with three feet.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'trimeter' specifically refer to in poetry?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A triplet (or tercet) is a stanza of three lines. Trimeter refers to the metrical structure of a single line (three feet). A triplet could be written in trimeter, pentameter, or any other metre.
Many hymns and nursery rhymes use trimeter. A clear example is the poem 'The Tyger' by William Blake, which uses a mix of tetrameter and trimeter lines ('Tyger Tyger, burning bright').
It is less common than pentameter but still used, often to create a lighter, quicker, or more song-like rhythm compared to the more stately pentameter.
'Trimeter' specifies the number of feet (three). 'Iambic' specifies the type of foot (an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one: da-DUM). 'Iambic trimeter' is therefore a line of three iambs.