What does enjamb mean?
Enjamb is a technical verb of poetics meaning to let a sentence or phrase run past the end of a line of verse and continue into the next line without any grammatical pause. When a poet enjambs, the sense spills over the line break, pulling the reader forward and creating effects of momentum, suspense, or surprise that a neatly stopped line cannot achieve. The word derives ultimately from the French 'enjamber', 'to straddle', formed on 'jambe', 'leg', so an enjambed line figuratively stands with one foot on either side of the break. In practice the noun 'enjambment' is considerably more common than the verb, which appears chiefly in literary criticism and classroom discussion of versification. Enjambment contrasts with end-stopping, where each line closes with punctuation, and mastering the distinction is essential for anyone analysing how poets shape rhythm and meaning.
verb(of a line of verse) To continue a sentence or phrase beyond the end of one line into the following line without a syntactic pause.
- To run a sentence or phrase beyond the end of a line of verse into the next line, without pause at the line break.
"The poet deliberately enjambs each stanza, carrying the thought breathlessly across the line break."
"Milton often enjambs his blank verse so that the syntax surges forward across the line breaks."
"Rather than ending each line with a full stop, she enjambs her couplets to create a sense of momentum."
Enjamb literally means 'to straddle' — every time a poet lets a sentence tumble over the edge of a line, they're making the words put a leg on either side of it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of enjamb
Enjamb is a back-formation from 'enjambment', which English borrowed in the 19th century from French 'enjambement'. The French word derives from 'enjamber', 'to straddle', composed of 'en-' plus 'jambe', 'leg', which itself traces back through Vulgar Latin 'gamba' to Greek 'kampē', 'bend of the leg'. Related words sharing this root include 'gambol' (originally to leap like a horse) and the architectural term 'jamb'.
Related word forms
How enjamb is actually used
A technical term of prosody and poetics, found mainly in literary criticism, poetry workshops, and academic writing; rare in everyday speech. It is essentially a back-formation from the more common noun 'enjambment', which is far more frequent than the verb itself.
Easily confused with enjamb
Enjoin means to legally order or direct someone to do something, whereas enjamb refers to lines of poetry running over from one line to the next.