Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Rhyme occurs when two or more words have similar sounds at their ends. It adds musicality and rhythm to poetry and can help emphasize certain ideas or themes.
Related terms
End rhyme: End rhyme happens when rhyming words appear at the end of lines in a poem.
Internal rhyme: Internal rhyme occurs when rhyming words appear within the same line of poetry.
Slant rhyme: Slant rhyme, also known as near rhyme or half rhyme, is when words have similar but not identical sounds.