acrostic

American  

[uh-kraw-stik, uh-kros-tik] / əˈkrɔ stɪk, əˈkrɒs tɪk /

noun

acrostics plural

1. a series of lines or verses in which the first, last, or other particular letters when taken in order spell out a word, phrase, etc.

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adjective

1. Also acrostical of, like, or forming an acrostic.

acrostic British  

/ əˈkrɒstɪk /

noun

1. 1. a number of lines of writing, such as a poem, certain letters of which form a word, proverb, etc. A single acrostic is formed by the initial letters of the lines, a double acrostic by the initial and final letters, and a triple acrostic by the initial, middle, and final letters

   2. the word, proverb, etc, so formed

   3. ( as modifier )

      an acrostic sonnet

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Usage

What is an acrostic? An acrostic is a series of lines of writing or verses of poetry in which certain letters can be read from a word or phrase. Here is an example of an acrostic in which the first letter of each word creates another word (dogs):DependableObedientGood FriendsSmartAn acrostic doesn’t have to use the letters of the first words of a line, however. The letters could be from words in the middle or at the end of lines, as well. The letters of the “hidden message” are typically capitalized (food):Made FreshHealthy OnlyDouble OrderTastes DeliciousThere are three types of acrostics. An acrostic that uses the initial letters is called a single acrostic (cat):CuriousAttentiveTenaciousAn acrostic that uses the first and last letters of a line is called a double acrostic (bird song):Beautiful chirping soundsI love the audioRelaxes my brainDelightful listeningA triple acrostic uses the first letter, last letter, and a middle letter to form words. The adjective form of acrostic is acrostical, as in The poem was acrostical.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• acrostically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• acrostics
  plural

Etymology

Origin of acrostic

1580–90; < Greek akrostichís, equivalent to akro- acro- + stích ( os ) stich ¹ + -is noun suffix

Explanation

Did you ever compose a poem in which you wrote a word vertically down the page and started each line with one of the letters in that word? That was an acrostic poem. A word that
Can be spelled so that it
Reads from top to bottom
Or across, as a poem
Sometimes is very clever.
That's an acrostic poem.
It can also refer to a puzzle.
Cool, isn't it?

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

acrostic acrostics

He composed a melody and set an acrostic poem to it, with the first letter of each line spelling the name “Igor” in Russian.

From New York Times ● May 6, 2022

We love a good sonnet, acrostic or villanelle.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 3, 2022

The album title is an acrostic for her family nickname, Simbi - and her lyrics often delve into the darkest corners of her backstory.

From BBC ● Dec. 22, 2021

Times fan and acrostic enthusiast, consider this booklet of more than 80 crossword puzzles in a range of difficulties.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2021

She assigns us to write an acrostic of our names, which is a poem where, for each letter of your name, you describe yourself with a word or phrase that starts with that letter.

From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish

One of the greatest American composers, clearly the greatest lyricist — and, by virtue of those two rarely linked greatnesses, the essential musical dramatist of our time — wanted to talk about double acrostics.

From New York Times ● Nov. 26, 2021

I have often thought of those double acrostics, their letters tossed through the air like shuttlecocks, in trying to understand how Mr. Sondheim managed to do what he did.

From New York Times ● Nov. 26, 2021

I do acrostics and logic games and crossword puzzles in pen, and if one of those crosswords is too easy I will cover up all the “Across” clues.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 17, 2020

Scholars have found what appear to be other “Paradise Lost” acrostics, including one discovered in 1977.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 6, 2019

While the rest of the class shares their acrostics, I write a new one in the margin of my notebook, shielding it with my arm so no one can see.

From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish