rhyme

1 of 2

noun

ˈrīm 

variants or less commonly rime

1

a

: correspondence in terminal sounds of units of composition or utterance (such as two or more words or lines of verse)

b

: one of two or more words thus corresponding in sound

c

: correspondence of other than terminal word sounds: such as

(1)

: alliteration

(2)

: internal rhyme

2

a(1)

: rhyming verse

(2)

: poetry

b

: a composition in verse that rhymes

3

: rhythm, measure

rhymeless adjective

rhyme

2 of 2

verb

variants or less commonly rime

rhymed also rimed; rhyming also riming

intransitive verb

1

of a word or verse : to end in syllables that are rhymes

2

: to make rhymes

also : to compose rhyming verse

3

: to be in accord : harmonize

transitive verb

1

: to relate or praise in rhyming verse

2

a

: to put into rhyme

b

: to compose (verse) in rhyme

c

: to cause to rhyme : use as rhyme

rhymer noun

Synonyms of rhyme

Verb

• correspond
• coincide
• conform
• fit
• agree

Examples of rhyme in a Sentence

Noun

She used “moon” as a rhyme for “June.”

He couldn't think of a rhyme for “orange.”

They're learning about meter and rhyme.

Verb

Please find the two lines that rhyme.

She rhymed “moon” with “June.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The old-timey rhymes don’t lie; March certainly comes in like a lion. —Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 10 Mar. 2026

There was clear rhyme and reason to the availability. —Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026

Verb

Are not random acts of rhyming gone wrong still more pleasant than thinking about squealing war-babies, the wrecking ball that is the last week of a Florida legislative session or the AI Apocalypse which should be here (checks watch) very soon? —Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026

The story is told in rhyming verse, its loose, conversational meter able to tighten suddenly for emphasis. —Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English rime, from Anglo-French

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing rhyme

• beginning rhyme
• eye rhyme
• head rhyme
• initial rhyme
• internal rhyme
• nursery rhyme
• rhyme or reason
• rhyme royal
• rhyme scheme
• sight rhyme
• vowel rhyme

Rhymes for rhyme

• chime
• chyme
• climb
• clime
• crime
• dime
• grime
• lime
• lyme
• mime
• prime
• slime

Kids Definition

rhyme

1 of 2 noun

variants also rime

ˈrīm

1

a

: close similarity in the final sounds of two or more words or lines of verse

b

: one of two or more words having this similarity in sound

2

a

: rhyming verse

b

: a composition in verse that rhymes

rhyme

2 of 2 verb

variants also rime

rhymed also rimed; rhyming also riming

1

a

: to make rhymes : put into rhyme

b

: to compose rhyming verse

2

: to end in syllables that rhyme

3

: to cause to rhyme : use as rhyme

rhymed "moon" with "June"

rhymer noun