The Open Dictionary

rhyme

noun

UK/raɪm/
US/raɪm/

Definitions of rhyme noun

  1. Countable

    A word that shares the same final sound as another word.

    • Can you think of a word that rhymes with "cat"?

    • "Sea" and "be" are rhymes.

    • The poem uses a lot of rhymes.

  2. C2Countable

    A short poem, especially one written for young children, that uses rhyme.

    • She enjoys reading rhymes to her children.

    • The storybook has a lot of rhymes in it.

    • We used to listen to rhymes when we were little.

  3. C2Uncountable

    The practice or art of using rhyming words in poetry.

    • The rhyme in this poem is perfect.

    • He started learning about rhyme in poetry.

    • The use of rhyme can make a poem more vivid.

  4. Countablephoneticsspecialized

    The vowel sound in the middle of a syllable, and any consonant sounds that follow it.

Phrases of rhyme noun

  • in rhyme

    Written or spoken with words at the end of lines having the same or similar sounds.

    • She wrote a poem in rhyme to celebrate the occasion.

verb

UK/raɪm/
US/raɪm/

Definitions of rhyme verb

  1. C2TransitiveIntransitive

    To have or end with the same last sound as another word.

    • "Light" and "night" rhyme.

    • These two words do not rhyme.

    • The lyrics of this song are very well-designed to rhyme.

Idioms

  • be no/without rhyme or reason

    To describe something that happens or exists without any logical or obvious explanation.

    • The company's promotion system seems to be without rhyme or reason; some people are quickly promoted, while others are overlooked.