verse

1 of 2

noun

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
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
3
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

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Across 12 songs, there’s nary a verse or chorus in which Carpenter’s tongue isn’t in her cheek, even as the songs get at stuff anyone who’s been part of the dating world may find slightly painful in the abstract. Chris Willman, Variety, 29 Aug. 2025 His hip-hop bonafides emerge halfway through on his second verse, and his memorable lines add another element to an earworm single that still pulses with energy and soul. Heran Mamo, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2025 For starters, the ensemble was made up of top-flight actors who knew their way around the Bard’s verse. Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025 Morris solos the first verse before Yola, whose booming voice and ebullient stage presence across five songs earlier tonight was its own spiritual presence, joined her on the singer’s breakout hit. Jason Newman, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for verse

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of verse was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Verse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verse. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on verse

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!