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Literature vocabulary · Poetry

Irregular verse

Meaning in literature, with examples

nounAdvanced term

In literature, irregular verse means: Poetry or verse that does not follow one regular metrical pattern throughout, though it may still keep rhythm, sound echoes, or partial structure.

In Turkish: düzensiz ölçü, düzensiz nazım

How it is used

Used in poetry analysis for works whose line lengths or stresses vary noticeably. It often contrasts with strict meter on one side and fully free verse on the other.

Example sentences

  1. In the seminar, the lecturer called the later sections irregular verse because the stresses keep shifting while a faint chant-like rhythm remains.

    Here the term highlights unstable meter rather than complete freedom; the passage still has an audible rhythmic thread.

  2. While editing the anthology notes, Mira described the poem as irregular verse to show that its uneven lines are patterned, not accidental.

    In this example, the label signals intentional variation in form, helping readers avoid confusing it with careless line breaks.

Common collocations

  • write in irregular verse
  • irregular verse form
  • irregular verse pattern
  • poetryLiterary writing arranged in lines that uses rhythm, sound, imagery and often rhyme to express feelings and ideas in a concentrated way.
  • poemA single piece of writing in lines, often with a regular rhythm or rhyme, that expresses an experience, feeling or idea through carefully chosen language.

More terms: Poetry

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