poetry

[ poh-i-tree ]

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.

poetry

/ 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

Other Words From

• poet·ry·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of poetry¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of poetry¹

C14: from Medieval Latin poētria, from Latin poēta poet

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

He campaigned and governed in poetry, and we are all the richer for it.

From The Daily Beast

The bar also claims that it hosted the first-ever poetry slam 28 years ago.

From The Daily Beast

Its essays, criticism, reportage, and poetry are not “product.”

From The Daily Beast

As a young man, he also wrote poetry, was a star singer at his school, and tried his hand at pamphleteering.

From The Daily Beast

Laskey, who earned a degree in psychology, enjoys painting and poetry.

From The Daily Beast

I thought this young man was going to read us some of his poetry; it's too tiresome of him to stop to tell us about his bull-dog.

From Project Gutenberg

Aldhem, an English divine, died; said to have been the first Englishman who cultivated poetry.

From Project Gutenberg

He is the principal writer of Italian jocose poetry, which has ever since retained the name of poesia Bernesca.

From Project Gutenberg

He is described by Calamy as having been a good scholar, and possessing a taste for poetry.

From Project Gutenberg

She had heard in books of girls writing poetry, romance, history—gaining fifties and hundreds.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• verse