couplet

noun

cou·​plet ˈkə-plət How to pronounce couplet (audio)
1
: two successive lines of verse forming a unit marked usually by rhythmic correspondence, rhyme, or the inclusion of a self-contained utterance : distich
She ended her poem with a rhyming couplet.
2
: couple

Examples of couplet in a Sentence

a poem made up of six couplets a couplet of statues flank the entrance to the church
Recent Examples on the Web In this poem, the couplets are reversed for no reason. Wyatt Mason, Harper's Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024 The couplets exemplify his greatest strengths in tandem: his slick diction and knack for stacking multi-syllabic rhymes together. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2024 As a tradition, many families put red paper decorations on the windows and the doors with couplets which also called chunlian. USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2024 The show’s language is contemporary but proceeds in a series of casual couplets, a device that can occasionally be distracting. Missy Frederick, Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2024 Written in black or gold on red paper, the couplets are placed outside of an Asian home with messages of gratitude and wishes for the new year, The National Museum of Asian Art explains. USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2024 Consider these three emerging aspects: (a) Patient-AI usage (couplet on the side). Lance Eliot, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 Today, his couplets about searching for wisdom and righteousness remain a common element of Hindu, Muslim, and even Sikh devotional songs. Kalpana Jain, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Nov. 2023 Of course, there are also the lyrics: heartfelt couplets that exalt God and thank Him for being a constant presence in her life. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 18 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'couplet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, diminutive of Old French cuple, couple — see couple entry 1

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of couplet was in 1580

Dictionary Entries Near couplet

Cite this Entry

“Couplet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/couplet. Accessed 3 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

couplet

noun
cou·​plet ˈkəp-lət How to pronounce couplet (audio)
: two lines of verse that follow in order and form a unit
especially : two rhyming lines of the same length

More from Merriam-Webster on couplet

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