Poetry Glossary

Explore our comprehensive glossary of poetry terms. Whether you're a student, teacher, or poetry enthusiast, our glossary will help you understand key concepts, definitions, and examples that are essential in the study of poetry.

Use the search function to quickly find specific terms, or browse through the entire glossary to enhance your understanding of poetic devices and literary terms.

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Term Definition Example
IambA metrical foot consisting of one short syllable followed by one long syllable."The way a crow Shook down on me The dust of snow."
IdyllA short poem describing a picturesque scene or incident, especially in rustic life.Alfred, Lord Tennyson's "Idylls of the King" is an example.
IdyllA short poem describing a simple, peaceful, and pastoral scene, often about rural life.Alfred Lord Tennyson's "Idylls of the King" is a famous example.
ImageryVisually descriptive or figurative language, especially in a literary work.The autumn leaves are a blanket on the ground.
Internal RhymeRhyme that occurs within a single line of verse."Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary."
InversionThe normal order of words is reversed, typically for emphasis or meter."In the dark shadows stood he."
IronyThe expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite.The fire station burned down.
IronyThe expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, often for humorous or emphatic effect."The fire station burned down."