Poetry Glossary - Understand Poetry Terms

Term	Definition	Example
Waka	A type of classical Japanese poetry that consists of five lines with a 5-7-5-7-7 syllable pattern.	The Manyoshu, an ancient anthology, contains many examples of waka poetry.
Waka	A Japanese genre of poetry composed in the traditional 5-7-5-7-7 syllable pattern, often reflective and nature-focused.	The Manyoshu anthology is full of waka poetry, showcasing its deep roots in Japanese culture.
Waka-Tanka	A traditional form of Japanese collaborative poetry, where one poet writes a three-line stanza and another poet completes it with two lines.	In the Manyoshu, some poems are examples of waka-tanka, a collaborative form of waka poetry.
Waltz Rhythm	A rhythmic pattern in poetry that mimics the 3/4 time signature of a waltz, often used to create a lyrical, dance-like effect.	The poem "The Waltz" by Dorothy Parker is an example that mimics this rhythm.
Weak Ending	A line of poetry that ends with an unstressed syllable, creating a softer, less emphatic conclusion.	In blank verse, a weak ending might consist of an unstressed syllable following a normally stressed syllable.
Weaving	The technique of intertwining themes, images, or motifs throughout a poem to create a complex, layered meaning.	The poems of T.S. Eliot, such as "The Waste Land", are known for their intricate weaving of literary allusions and images.
Weltliteratur	A term coined by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, referring to "world literature" or the idea that national literature should become part of a global literary tradition.	Goethe’s discussions of Weltliteratur encouraged the exchange of literary ideas across cultures.
White Space	The area on a page around a poem that is left empty, which can affect the way a poem is perceived or interpreted.	Concrete poems often use white space creatively to form shapes or patterns.
Winged Words	A Homeric term for spoken words that are powerful, vivid, or inspiring, as if they have the ability to take flight.	In The Iliad, Homer often describes speeches as "winged words," conveying their impact.
Wit	The use of clever language to amuse or provoke thought, often characterized by quick and inventive verbal humor.	John Donne’s metaphysical poems are known for their wit and intellectual playfulness.

Our comprehensive Poetry Glossary, designed for students, teachers, and poetry enthusiasts alike. Whether you're delving into poetic forms, exploring rhyme schemes, or understanding the nuances of metrical feet, our glossary is an essential resource to enhance your study of poetry.

Our glossary covers a wide range of poetry terms, from alliteration, the repetition of initial consonant sounds, to the structure of free verse, which flows without a fixed metrical pattern. Learn about how stressed and unstressed syllables form the foundation of metrical feet, or explore how a rhyme scheme organizes the pattern of sounds at the end of lines in a poem.

Use the search function to quickly find terms like group of lines in a stanza or the repetition of sounds in a poem or section. Whether you're looking to understand how a series of words creates rhythmic patterns or how the number of syllables affects the flow of a line of poetry, our glossary has the definitions and examples you need.