verse

noun

\ ˈvərs

Definition of verse

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a line of metrical writing

2a(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

verb

versed; versing

Definition of verse (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to make verse : versify

transitive verb

1 : to tell or celebrate in verse

2 : to turn into verse

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about verse

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms for verse

Synonyms: Noun

lyric, poem, rune, song

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

The New Yorker has reported the president tried, unsuccessfully, to block AT&T’s acquisition of Time Warner, which includes CNN, HBO, DirecTV and U-verse, among other properties. — cleveland.com, "Trump, irked he only gets CNN in UK, suggests boycotting AT&T," 3 June 2019 Fox is compatible with AT&T U-verse, Spectrum, Cox, DirecTV, Dish, Frontier Communications, Xfinity, and more. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "'MasterChef' Season 10 Has Some Huge Changes in Store, Says Gordon Ramsay," 22 May 2019 The companies had been negotiating for AT&T’s U-verse, DirecTV and WatchTV services to keep Viacom programming after the previous contract between the companies expired last week. ... — Allison Prang, WSJ, "AT&T, Viacom Avert Programming Blackout," 25 Mar. 2019 There's no shortage of Mother's Day Bible verses to get in the spiritual mindset, from readings about love to families to female strength. — Blair Donovan, Country Living, "25 Mother's Day Bible Verses to Share With Your Mom," 5 Apr. 2019 Although the 2004 hit technically belongs to Mike Jones, the verses from Slim Thug and Paul Wall are classics. — Matt Young, Houston Chronicle, "Slim Thug, Paul Wall perform Still Tippin before Rockets game," 28 May 2018 The first verse is a list of misguided attempts at motivating a kid through petty threats. — The Cut, "What Aggression Really Means to Boys," 5 Mar. 2018 The same verse was spray-painted at Ancient Church of the East Mar Shaleeta Parish, an Assyrian church in San Fernando, in a November 2016 incident that the Assyrian American Assn. — Brittny Mejia, latimes.com, "Suspect in church fires charged with multiple felony counts," 30 Jan. 2018 Each verse is full of clever one-liners and rhymes complemented by a driving beat provided by frequent collaborator K Swisha. — Efrain Dorado, RedEye Chicago, "Get your act together: 10 must-see artists at Lollapalooza," 31 July 2017

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.

History and Etymology for verse

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