The Types Of Rhymes

Rhyme is the repetition of similar sounding words, occurring frequently in poetry and song lyricism.

1. Classification by Position
  • End Rhyme

    • Occurs at the end of two or more lines of verse.

    • Example: "The woods are lovely, dark and deep, / But I have promises to keep."

  • Internal Rhyme

    • Occurs within a single line of poetry, or between internal words across adjacent lines.

    • Example: "Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary."

  • Beginning Rhyme

    • Occurs at the start of consecutive or nearby lines.

2. Classification by Sound Similarity
  • Perfect Rhyme (Exact or Full Rhyme)

    • The stressed vowels and all following sounds are identical, while the initial consonant sounds differ.

    • Example: cat / hat, sing / ring.

  • Slant Rhyme (Half, Near, or Imperfect Rhyme)

    • Words that share similar but non-identical sounds, usually relying on shared assonance or consonance.

    • Example: shape / keep, cloud / road.

  • Eye Rhyme (Visual Rhyme)

    • Words that appear as though they should rhyme due to spelling similarities, but are pronounced differently.

    • Example: love / move, cough / bough.

3. Classification by Syllable Pattern
  • Masculine Rhyme

    • A rhyme that falls on a single final stressed syllable.

    • Example: claim / flame.

  • Feminine Rhyme

    • A rhyme spanning two syllables, where the first syllable is stressed and the second is unstressed.

    • Example: treasure / measure.

  • Triple Rhyme

    • A rhyme involving three syllables, usually with a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables.

    • Example: glorious / victorious.


Rhyme is the repetition of similar sounding words, occurring frequently in poetry and song lyricism.

1. Classification by Position
  • End Rhyme

    • Occurs at the end of two or more lines of verse.

    • Example: "The woods are lovely, dark and deep, / But I have promises to keep."

  • Internal Rhyme

    • Occurs within a single line of poetry, or between internal words across adjacent lines.

    • Example: "Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary."

  • Beginning Rhyme (Head Rhyme / Alliteration)

    • Occurs at the start of consecutive or nearby lines, often utilizing alliteration (repetition of initial consonant sounds).

    • Example: "Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before."

2. Classification by Sound Similarity
  • Perfect Rhyme (Exact or Full Rhyme)

    • The stressed vowels and all following sounds are identical, while the initial consonant sounds differ.

    • Example: cat / hat, sing / ring.

  • Slant Rhyme (Half, Near, or Imperfect Rhyme)

    • Words that share similar but non-identical sounds, usually relying on shared assonance or consonance.

    • Example: shape / keep, cloud / road.

  • Eye Rhyme (Visual Rhyme)

    • Words that appear as though they should rhyme due to spelling similarities, but are pronounced differently.

    • Example: love / move, cough / bough.

  • Identical Rhyme

    • Uses the exact same word rhymed with itself in sound and meaning.

    • Example: leave / leave.

  • Rich Rhyme (Rime Riche)

    • Words that sound identical (including the preceding consonant sound) but differ in meaning or spelling (homophones).

    • Example: stair / stare, knight / night.

3. Classification by Syllable Pattern
  • Masculine Rhyme

    • A rhyme that falls on a single final stressed syllable.

    • Example: claim / flame.

  • Feminine Rhyme

    • A rhyme spanning two syllables, where the first syllable is stressed and the second is unstressed.

    • Example: treasure / measure.

  • Triple Rhyme

    • A rhyme involving three syllables, usually with a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables.

    • Example: glorious / victorious.