nonsense verse

American  

noun

1. a form of light verse, usually for children, depicting imaginative characters in amusing situations of fantasy, whimsical in tone and with a rhythmic appeal, often employing fanciful phrases and meaningless made-up words.

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nonsense verse British  

noun

1. verse in which the sense is nonexistent or absurd, such as that of Edward Lear

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Etymology

Origin of nonsense verse

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

The 19th-century English artist and writer was a serious painter, but he is most loved for his nonsense verse “The Owl and the Pussycat.”

From New York Times • Nov. 20, 2018

In his younger days, Alfred himself produced some exceptionally funny parodies and nonsense verse.

From Washington Post • Jul. 10, 2017

John Lennon published a volume of nonsense verse In His Own Write.

From BBC • Oct. 14, 2016

He was not afraid to make up words, such as “lubberland of dream and laughter”, or veer into nonsense verse.

From Economist • Aug. 15, 2013

An old nonsense verse attributed to an Oxford student, is the well known:   A centipede was happy quite,       Until a frog in fun   Said, "Pray, which leg comes after which?"

From A Nonsense Anthology by Wells, Carolyn