free verse

[ free vurs ]

noun

, Prosody.

1. verse that does not follow a fixed metrical pattern.

free verse

noun

1. unrhymed verse without a metrical pattern

free verse

1. Verse without regular meter or rhyme . , by Walt Whitman , is written almost entirely in free verse.

Other Words From

• free-ver·si·fi·er [free, -, vur, -s, uh, -fahy-er], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of free verse¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

In fact, you can send me any type of poem — even doggerel or free verse — as long as it is no more than 17 lines long.

From Washington Post

Free verse is a sign of the New, also the dream of a free world and the planetary patriotism.

From Project Gutenberg

Any one who has ever written love-letters—which are a kind of aboriginal free-verse—knows what they are.

From Project Gutenberg

There seems to be a certain confusion whereby free verse is held to be a movement in the direction of free speech.

From Project Gutenberg

The objection to most of the “free verse” that is being written to-day is that in form it is neither delightful nor memorable.

From Project Gutenberg

"The Toys" of Coventry Patmore is a good example of what "free verse" ought to be.

From Project Gutenberg