verse

1 of 2

noun

ˈvərs 

1

: a line of metrical writing

2

a(1)

: metrical language

(2)

: metrical writing distinguished from poetry especially by its lower level of intensity

(3)

: poetry sense 2

b

: poem

c

: a body of metrical writing (as of a period or country)

3

: stanza sense 1

4

: one of the short divisions into which a chapter of the Bible is traditionally divided

verse

2 of 2

verb

versed; versing

intransitive verb

: to make verse : versify

transitive verb

1

: to tell or celebrate in verse

2

: to turn into verse

Synonyms

Noun

• lyric
• poem
• rune
• song

Verb

• acquaint
• advise
• apprise
• brief
• catch up
• clear
• clue (in)
• enlighten
• familiarize
• fill in
• hip
• inform
• instruct
• tell
• wise (up)

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Del Rey joined Cabello on the floor of the stage during Carti’s verse and placed her hands around Cabello’s waist as the two shared a playful spin. —Thania Garcia, Variety, 20 Apr. 2024

The remix absolutely lives up to its sleazy billing, with all three guests delivering verses that are boisterous, graphic, and horny as hell. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 19 Apr. 2024

Well, the second verse is about him, but the other two men who inspired the song will remain nameless for now. —Shannon Carlin, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024

Hershey would speak in lines of rhythmic prose, broken across the page like poetry, while a group of ghosts, functioning like a Greek chorus, would offer analysis of Hershey’s monologue in metered verse. —Maggie Doherty, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024

After several verses into the song, Jean ran out onto the stage to applause. —Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024

While the song’s beat may be softer, Santa doesn’t hold back his rapid-fire verses about a love story that turns into a nightmare, with betrayal and deception. —Griselda Flores, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024

Eight verses, sung in syrupy low notes and flighty harmonies, paint scenes of cyclical conflict and resolution. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Apr. 2024

In 2015, Simon told People that the second verse is about Warren Beatty, but the third verse remains a mystery. —Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 31 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English vers, fers, in part borrowed from Anglo-French vers, verse in part going back to Old English fers, both borrowed from Latin versus "furrow, measure of land, row, line, line of writing, line of metrical writing," action noun derived from vertere "to cause to turn, rotate," — more at worth entry 1

Verb

Middle English versen, in part verbal derivative of vers, fers verse entry 1 in part going back to Old English fersian "to versify," verbal derivative of fers verse entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing verse

• blank verse
• chapter and verse
• free verse
• heroic verse
• nonsense verse
• tumbling verse

Kids Definition

verse

noun

ˈvərs

1

: a line of writing in which words are arranged in a rhythmic pattern

2

: writing in which words are arranged in a rhythmic pattern

3

: stanza

4

: one of the short parts of a chapter of the Bible