poetry

American  

[poh-i-tree] / ˈpoʊ ɪ tri /

noun

1. the art of rhythmical composition, written or spoken, for exciting pleasure by beautiful, imaginative, or elevated thoughts.

2. literary work in metrical form; verse.

   Antonyms:

   prose

3. prose with poetic qualities.

4. poetic qualities however manifested.

   the poetry of simple acts and things.

5. poetic spirit or feeling.

   The pianist played the prelude with poetry.

6. something suggestive of or likened to poetry.

   the pure poetry of a beautiful view on a clear day.

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poetry British  

/ ˈpəʊɪtrɪ /

noun

1. literature in metrical form; verse

2. the art or craft of writing verse

3. poetic qualities, spirit, or feeling in anything

4. anything resembling poetry in rhythm, beauty, etc

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Usage

What is poetry? Poetry is literature that is written in verse and emphasizes the rhythmic use of words to create imagery.  Works of poetry are called poems. A person who writes poetry is called a poet. Poetry is a major form of literature. The biggest difference that sets poetry apart from other forms of writing is that poetry uses verse, which is concerned with meter, rather than prose, which does not. Poetry also may not use complete sentences or punctuation marks. Instead, poetry places an importance on using words and syllables that give rhythm to a poem. There are many different forms of poetry, such as haiku, elegies, and sonnets. While some types of poems have rules on how they should be written, poets often break the rules if the poem will be better for it. You can find more information about these and other forms of poetry in our article, “12 Essential Types of Poetry.”

Synonym Usage

Poetry, verse agree in referring to the work of a poet. The difference between poetry and verse is usually the difference between substance and form. Poetry is lofty thought or impassioned feeling expressed in imaginative words: Elizabethan poetry. Verse is any expression in words which simply conforms to accepted metrical rules and structure: the differences between prose and verse.

Other Word Forms

• poetryless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of poetry

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English poetrie, from Medieval Latin poētria “poetic art,” derivative of poēta poet, but formation is unclear; probably not from Greek poiḗtria “poetess”

Explanation

Poetry is a form of literature that follows specific forms to create a rhythm and/or rhyme scheme. Without those elements we have the poetic form known as “free verse,” but it retains an elevated language that still makes it poetry. The noun poetry goes all the way back to the Latin poesis, meaning both "poetry" and "making." It usually refers to the specific genre of poetic works, a wide variety of styles tied together by the structured use of the language, but is also used to describe any especially beautiful language. The French writer Voltaire once said, “Poetry is the music of the soul, and, above all, of great and feeling souls.”

Example Sentences

Appeared in the May 20, 2026, print edition as 'Notable & Quotable: Poetry'.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

"Raphael: Sublime Poetry" runs through June 28, 2026.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

Feng Shui Poetry in the Parks has grant funding through 2026’s spring semester, but next school year is still up in the air.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2026

Heaney has held Professorships at Harvard, and was Oxford Professor of Poetry.

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2025

Poetry just may be a way to do that.

From "Bronx Masquerade" by Nikki Grimes

Related Words

• verse