Poetry Glossary - Understand Poetry Terms

Term	Definition	Example
Zany	Comically wild or absurd; often used in poetry to describe characters or situations that are exaggeratedly humorous or foolish.	The zany antics of the clown brought joy to the children, his laughter echoing through the circus tent.
Zeal	Great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective, frequently used in poetry to describe fervent passion.	Her zeal for justice was evident in every word of her stirring speech.
Zenith	The highest point or peak, often used metaphorically in poetry to describe the climax or the most successful point in a narrative or life.	At the zenith of his glory, the king looked out over his prosperous realm.
Zephyr	A gentle, mild breeze, often used in poetry to evoke a sense of peace or the arrival of spring.	The zephyr whispered through the trees, carrying the scent of blooming flowers.
Zest	Great enthusiasm and energy, often used in poetry to convey a lively, spirited attitude towards life.	The old man spoke with zest, his stories full of life and adventure.
Zeugma	A figure of speech in which a word applies to multiple parts of the sentence.	She broke his car and his heart.
Ziggurat	A tiered, pyramid-shaped structure that was part of the ancient Mesopotamian temple complexes, sometimes used in poetry to symbolize human ambition or connection with the divine.	The poet compared the towering skyscrapers to ziggurats, reaching towards the heavens.
Zion	A biblical term referring to the Promised Land, often used in poetry to symbolize a place of peace, sanctuary, or spiritual fulfillment.	The poet’s journey led him to his own Zion, a place of solace and reflection.
Zither	A stringed musical instrument, often used in poetry to evoke a sense of harmony, nostalgia, or the delicate nature of sound.	The zither’s gentle notes floated through the evening air, a lullaby for the weary traveler.
Zodiac	An imaginary belt of the heavens, divided into twelve signs, used in astrology and often referenced in poetry to symbolize fate, destiny, or time.	The poet pondered his place under the zodiac, wondering what the stars had in store for him.

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.