poetry

noun

po·et·ry | \ ˈpō-ə-trē

How to pronounce poetry (audio)

, -i-trē also ˈpȯ(-)i-trē\

Definition of poetry

1a : metrical writing : verse

b : the productions of a poet : poems

2 : writing that formulates a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience in language chosen and arranged to create a specific emotional response through meaning, sound, and rhythm

3a : something likened to poetry especially in beauty of expression

b : poetic quality or aspect the poetry of dance

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about poetry

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Synonyms & Antonyms for poetry

Synonyms

minstrelsy, poesy, song, verse

Antonyms

Examples of poetry in a Sentence

I read the poem in a collection of modern poetry. She's published two books of lyric poetry and a novel. He found it easiest to express himself in the language of poetry. Her dancing is pure poetry.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Dream On Kids Jazz Band will perform, and the youths will recite poetry. — Jeff Piorkowski/special To Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Two Cleveland Heights benefits to help youths pay for their education; exercising on her 100th birthday in Beachwood; more: Press Run," 30 Mar. 2018 But it was done with poetry, with a delicate, thoughtful approach, with coherence and refinement. — Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, "The Festival d’Hyères’s Top Prize Goes to a Young Austrian Whose Focus Is Upcycling," 29 Apr. 2019 Pablo Neruda Love Poems Neruda’s masterful, stirring poetry collection for the romantic in your life. — The Editors, WSJ, "WSJ. Magazine’s Valentine’s Day Gift Guide," 11 Feb. 2019 Today, Mase makes his living by crafting loud and proud poetry on everything from white supremacy and LGBTQ rights to personal grief and growing up in an interfaith home. — Crystal Paul, The Seattle Times, "Seattle poet J Mase III makes his own way and teaches other trans and queer artists to carve out sustainable careers," 13 Apr. 2019 In Ancient Greece the Muses, goddesses of poetry and literature and music, were revered as sources of divine knowledge. — Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, "How Lee Radziwill Become the Ultimate Fashion Muse," 19 Feb. 2019 Other festivals will take place around the world, from Scandinavia to China, with bonfires, family gatherings, music, and poetry used to symbolically celebrate the sun. — Kelly O'sullivan, Country Living, "Winter Solstice 2018: Who Celebrates the First Day of Winter?," 20 Dec. 2018 But her script is too diffuse—and too in love with the poetry of the Ukrainian women's black humor—to develop that theme with any force or clarity. — Tony Adler, Chicago Reader, "The new Holodomor drama Sickle isn't sharp enough to draw much blood," 12 July 2018 The lyric of the song represents the beautiful poetry behind Bachata, the purpose of which is to conquer love. — Suzette Fernandez, Billboard, "Watch Romeo Santos & Juan Luis Guerra's 'Carmin' Music Video," 11 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'poetry.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for poetry

poetry

noun

English Language Learners Definition of poetry

: the writings of a poet : poems

: something that is very beautiful or graceful

See the full definition for poetry in the English Language Learners Dictionary

poetry

noun

po·et·ry | \ ˈpō-ə-trē

\

Kids Definition of poetry

1 : writing that usually involves figurative language and lines that have rhythm and sometimes rhyme : verse

2 : the writings of a poet

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