haiku

[ hahy-koo ]

noun

, plural hai·ku

1. a major form of Japanese verse, written in 17 syllables divided into 3 lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables, and employing highly evocative allusions and comparisons, often on the subject of nature or one of the seasons.
2. a poem written in this form.

haiku

/ ˈhaɪkuː /

noun

1. an epigrammatic Japanese verse form in 17 syllables

haiku

1. A form of Japanese poetry. A haiku expresses a single feeling or impression and contains three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables, respectively.

Word History and Origins

Origin of haiku¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; from Japanese, from hai(kai) haikai + ku “stanza”; hokku

Word History and Origins

Origin of haiku¹

from Japanese, from hai amusement + ku verse

Example Sentences

They only want a few words, more a haiku than a work of fiction.

From The Daily Beast

It made no sense, except maybe as something he could customize as The Bieber Haiku.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• ballad
• composition
• epic
• lyric
• poetry
• rhyme
• sonnet
• verse
• writing