plural verses
1
: a line of metrical writing
a fourteen-syllable verse
2
a(1)
: speech or writing distinguished from ordinary language by its distinctive patterning of sounds and especially by its rhythm : metrical language
characters who speak only in verse
(2)
b
: poem
c
: a body of metrical writing (as of a period or country)
The cinquain in older French verse was any kind of five-line stanza.—
John Hollander
John Hollander3
a
b
: a part of a song that typically occurs in a series, precedes the chorus, and follows any introduction
Sing the first and last verses only.
4
: one of the short divisions into which a chapter of scripture (such as the Bible, Torah, or Quran) is traditionally divided
Examples of verse in a Sentence
Noun
The epic tale was written in verse.
The second verse is sung the same way as the first.
Verb
while in prison, he versed himself in the rights of the incarcerated
Recent Examples on the Web
Alissa Quart, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025
With flags and a World Cup, the verses were sung as the arguments started.
—Gilles Salomone, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
There have been many posthumous releases of Biggie’s music including a 2005 album called Duets that saw Biggie’s verses mashed with new verses from modern artists.
—Skyler Trepel, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Meek broke his writer’s block and delivered an early guest verse of the year candidate.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for verse
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Noun
More specifically, the poetry of survival—verse written in the shadow of political extremity.
—Alissa Quart, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025
With flags and a World Cup, the verses were sung as the arguments started.
—Gilles Salomone, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
There have been many posthumous releases of Biggie’s music including a 2005 album called Duets that saw Biggie’s verses mashed with new verses from modern artists.
—Skyler Trepel, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Meek broke his writer’s block and delivered an early guest verse of the year candidate.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for verse
Articles Related to verse
Cite this Entry
“Verse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verse. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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