plural verses
1
: a line of metrical writing
a fourteen-syllable verse
2
a(1)
: speech or writing distinguished from ordinary language by its distinctive patterning of sounds and especially by its rhythm : metrical language
characters who speak only in verse
(2)
b
: poem
c
: a body of metrical writing (as of a period or country)
The cinquain in older French verse was any kind of five-line stanza.—
John Hollander
John Hollander3
a
b
: a part of a song that typically occurs in a series, precedes the chorus, and follows any introduction
Sing the first and last verses only.
4
: one of the short divisions into which a chapter of scripture (such as the Bible, Torah, or Quran) is traditionally divided
Synonyms
Examples of verse in a Sentence
Noun
The epic tale was written in verse.
The second verse is sung the same way as the first.
Verb
while in prison, he versed himself in the rights of the incarcerated
Recent Examples on the Web
Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2025
The rap lyrics in the second verse really resonate.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 1 Feb. 2025
Hurry Up Tomorrow included 22 tracks with a bevy of features, including guest verses from Florence + the Machine, Lana Del Rey, Travis Scott, Future, Anitta, Giorgio Moroder, Carti, and more.
—Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 31 Jan. 2025
In the clip, the rappers pair up onscreen, with Playboi Carti joining Latto on the second chorus and adding his own verse midway through the swagger-laden track.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for verse 
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Noun
As he's been doing in concert for years, Manilow emerged from the shadows for the second verse of the song, a nostalgic juxtaposition of his younger and older selves singing the same song.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2025
The rap lyrics in the second verse really resonate.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 1 Feb. 2025
Hurry Up Tomorrow included 22 tracks with a bevy of features, including guest verses from Florence + the Machine, Lana Del Rey, Travis Scott, Future, Anitta, Giorgio Moroder, Carti, and more.
—Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 31 Jan. 2025
In the clip, the rappers pair up onscreen, with Playboi Carti joining Latto on the second chorus and adding his own verse midway through the swagger-laden track.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for verse
Articles Related to verse
Dictionary Entries Near verse
Cite this Entry
“Verse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verse. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
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