What does rhymed mean?
Rhymed describes language in which words have matching sounds, most often at the ends of poetic lines. It can refer to a poem, a couplet, a verse, or even a form of speech organized with repeated sound patterns. As a verb form, rhymed is the past tense and past participle of rhyme: someone rhymed a word with another, or the words rhymed with each other. Rhyming is strongly associated with poetry, but it also appears in songs, nursery rhymes, jokes, slogans, slang, and ordinary conversation. Although rhyme is sometimes thought of merely as decoration, sound correspondence can make language memorable, humorous, and emotionally vivid. The form is common in both British and American English, and it is more specific than simply poetic: a rhymed passage is one whose words have been deliberately or recognizably matched in sound.
Having words that correspond in sound, especially at the ends of lines of poetry.
"The song contains two rhymed verses."
Often used before words such as poem, verse, couplet, or lines.
Past tense and past participle of rhyme.
"The two lines rhymed perfectly."
The subject may be a poet, a speaker, or the words being matched.
A rhyme makes language musical, but rhyming is also a powerful way to make ideas stick.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rhymed come from?
Rhyme developed in Middle English from rime, which continued Old English rīme. The word ultimately comes through Latin from Greek rhuthmos, a term associated with rhythm or patterned movement. Its close English relatives include rhythm and rhythmic, while rime remains a less common variant of rhyme. The sense of corresponding sounds at the ends of words was established before the modern literary and poetic uses of the word.
Related word forms
How rhymed is actually used
When used as an adjective, rhymed commonly describes poetry, verse, couplets, or speech. As a verb form, it is used in the past tense and past participle and normally takes a word or phrase as its object.