verse

noun \ ˈvərs \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Examples: verse in a Sentence

Definition of verse

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 2

b : poem

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

3 : stanza 1

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

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Examples of verse in a Sentence

The epic tale was written in verse.
The second verse is sung the same way as the first.

Recent Examples of verse from the Web

Troupes of Quran-memorizers once walked these alleyways reciting verses from their holy book.

— New York Times, "The Personal Wake-Up Call to Prayers, a Ramadan Tradition, Is Endangered," 13 June 2018
Rosen’s verse pairs with Fellows’s watercolors to vividly describe the experiences of horses and their caretakers.

— monitor staff, The Christian Science Monitor, "Voyages, animals, beauty for the youngest readers," 11 June 2018
Irvin was the first guest of the fifth season of Buck’s interview show that airs exclusively on AT&T Audience Network through DIRECTV (channel 239) and streaming on DIRECTV NOW and the DIRECTV and U-verse apps.

— craig davis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Michael Irvin claims he fought teammate over a steak on first day at UM," 6 June 2018
Buy Photo Philly native Lil Uzi Vert has been beefing with fellow emcee Rich The Kid through verses for a while now, but over the weekend, the pair’s feud turned physical at a local Starbucks.

— nick vadala, Philly.com, "Rappers Lil Uzi Vert and Rich the Kid's beef turns physical in Philly Starbucks," 4 June 2018
On most of the five tracks Freedia brilliantly blends her earthquake bass vocals on the verses with high-register refrains by angelic singers including Erica Falls, Goldiie, and Lizzo.

— doug maccash, NOLA.com, "Big Freedia's new EP '3rd Ward Bounce' is fabulous," 1 June 2018
Diana Arterian published a sad, lyrical essay at the Los Angeles Review of Books on the legacy of the Armenian Genocide on descendants and diaspora members, skillfully weaving together family memories and verse by Armenian diasporic poets.

— michelle weber, Longreads, "In the End, It’s All Just the Stories We Tell," 17 May 2018
Noting the murder in March of an elderly Holocaust survivor, the letter demanded that religious authorities renounce anti-Jewish verses in the Koran.

— The Economist, "Anti-Semitism in Europe may not in fact be rising," 3 May 2018
Characters spout Bible verses or Hallmark platitudes.

— tara isabella burton, Vox, "Great movies about faith are hard to come by. Enter Blue Velvet.," 5 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of verse

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 ¹worth

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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verse Synonyms

Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

verse

verb

Definition of verse

versed; versing

intransitive verb

: to make verse : versify

transitive verb

1 : to tell or celebrate in verse

2 : to turn into verse

Recent Examples of verse from the Web

GRAND CHUTE - Arrowhead is well-versed in winning on the strength of its potent offense.

— curt hogg, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "WIAA state baseball: Timely hits, strong pitching lift Arrowhead over Burlington," 12 June 2018
Most reading this column are likely well-versed in the lore surrounding Kubrick’s masterpiece, and have likewise probably seized on the many opportunities to see the film in its various celluloid and digital incarnations over the years.

— jordan cronk, The Hollywood Reporter, "Critic's Picks: A June To-Do List for Film Buffs in L.A.," 1 June 2018
Reasons to use a Realtor: The extensive contracts and documentation required are complicated, and experienced agents are well-versed in these.

— rebecca maitland, Houston Chronicle, "Hire a pro: Follow tips for selecting a Realtor," 23 Apr. 2018
Casinos are legal in 40 states; the commercial companies and American Indian tribes that run them are well-versed in dealing with regulators and state lawmakers.

— Washington Post, "Leagues, casinos lobby states for cut of legal sports bets," 20 Mar. 2018
Rodriguez, a graduate of Florida International University is well-versed in science and nutrition.

— jim varsallone, miamiherald, "UFC's Jessica Aguilar, a former champ, co-owns juice bar inside where she trains | Miami Herald," 23 May 2018
That there is a cohort of students in this country who are much more conversant in, versed in, educated about, engaged in the theory of race.

— bridget read, Vogue, "It’s Been 16 Years Since We First Heard About Mean Girls—Have We Learned Anything?," 23 Apr. 2018
Watch him in action here: Appleton is clearly well-versed in the duties of town crier.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "Town Crier Tony Appleton Is Ready to Proclaim the Birth of Royal Baby No. 3," 18 Apr. 2018
Finally, please consult a local attorney versed in community association law.

— benny l. kass, chicagotribune.com, "What steps can a community association board take when owners refuse to pay fines?," 21 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of verse

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

See Words from the same year

Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

verse

verb

Definition of verse

versed; versing

transitive verb

: to familiarize by close association, study, or experience

well versed in the theater

Recent Examples of verse from the Web

That is partly because they aren’t well-versed in how the new technologies work, making them reluctant to pitch customers those features.

— adrienne roberts, WSJ, "Why Auto Dealers Are Struggling to Explain Your Car’s Hi-Tech Safety Features," 21 May 2018
As a Harriet Tubman scholar, I am well versed in Tubman’s biography and the history and myths of American slavery.

— kate clifford larson, Vox, "Kanye West’s Harriet Tubman tweets show how little we know about her history," 4 May 2018
Well-versed in operatic performance, Snow has displayed her vocal skills in Hong Kong and the Netherlands.

— bob kostanczuk, Post-Tribune, "Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra presents night of show tunes," 1 May 2018
That there is a cohort of students in this country who are much more conversant in, versed in, educated about, engaged in the theory of race.

— bridget read, Vogue, "It’s Been 16 Years Since We First Heard About Mean Girls—Have We Learned Anything?," 23 Apr. 2018
If nothing else, coaches in the Southland have become more well-versed than ever this spring in reading about the weather on their cell phones.

— tony baranek, Daily Southtown, "Softball notes: Paxton Hoop looking to put together a dream season for Oak Forest," 10 Apr. 2018
The men are Wisconsin natives and well-versed in all forms of freshwater fishing, but tributary fishing is their greatest passion.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Centerpin gear is gaining fans for tributary fishing," 24 Mar. 2018
The elusiveness of the killer led some to believe that he was versed in police techniques.

— erich schwartzel, WSJ, "So-Called Golden State Killer Captured, Authorities Say," 25 Apr. 2018
Surely Markle and Prince Harry are well well versed in wedding etiquette.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "Did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Just Commit a Major Wedding Etiquette Faux Pas?," 4 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of verse

back-formation from versed, partial translation of Latin versātus, past participle of versārī "to come and go, be involved, concern oneself," passive (in middle sense) of versāre "to keep turning" — more at versant

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First Known Use: 1599

in the meaning defined above

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