trochee

noun

tro·​chee ˈtrō-(ˌ)kē How to pronounce trochee (audio)
: a metrical foot consisting of one long syllable followed by one short syllable or of one stressed syllable followed by one unstressed syllable (as in apple)

Word History

Etymology

probably from Middle French trochée, from Latin trochaeus, from Greek trochaios, from trochaios running, from trochē run, course, from trechein to run; akin to Greek trochos wheel, Old Irish droch

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trochee was in 1589

Rhymes for trochee

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Browse Nearby Words

trocheameter
trochee
trochelminth
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Cite this Entry

“Trochee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trochee. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

trochee

noun
tro·​chee ˈtrō-kē How to pronounce trochee (audio)
: a metrical foot consisting of one accented syllable followed by one unaccented syllable (as in hungry)
trochaic
trō-ˈkā-ik
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on trochee

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about trochee

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