Background for iambs
BeDict Logo

iambs

/ˈaɪæmz/ /ˈaɪæmənz/

Meanings
noun
A metrical foot in verse consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.

Examples :

"Many poems use iambs, creating a rhythm that sounds like "da DUM, da DUM." "
literature language linguistics writing

Related Words

Illustration metrical

metrical adjective

/ˈmɛtrɪkəl/ /ˈmiːtrɪkəl/

Relating to poetic meter

"The teacher explained the poem's metrical structure, pointing out the regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. "

Illustration verse

verse noun

/ˈvɜːs/ /ˈvɝs/

A poetic form with regular meter and a fixed rhyme scheme.

"Restoration literature is well known for its carefully constructed verse."

Illustration creating

creating verb

/kɹiːˈeɪtɪŋ/

To bring into existence; (sometimes in particular:)

"You can create the color orange by mixing yellow and red."

Illustration followed

followed verb

/ˈfɒləʊd/ /ˈfɑloʊd/

To go after; to pursue; to move behind in the same path or direction.

"Follow that car!"

Illustration sounds

sounds noun

/saʊndz/

A sensation perceived by the ear caused by the vibration of air or some other medium.

"He turned when he heard the sound of footsteps behind him.  Nobody made a sound."

Illustration foot

foot noun

[fʊt̚] [fɵʔt]

A biological structure found in many animals that is used for locomotion and that is frequently a separate organ at the terminal part of the leg.

"A spider has eight feet."

Illustration syllable

syllable noun

/ˈsɪləbəl/

A unit of human speech that is interpreted by the listener as a single sound, although syllables usually consist of one or more vowel sounds, either alone or combined with the sound of one or more consonants; a word consists of one or more syllables.

"The word "happy" has two syllables: "hap" and "py." "

Illustration poems

poems noun

/ˈpəʊ.ɪmz/ /poʊmz/

A literary piece written in verse.

"Example Sentence: "She enjoys reading poems about nature in her free time." "

Illustration consisting

consisting verb

/kənˈsɪstɪŋ/

To be.

"The project consists of three main parts. "

Illustration rhythm

rhythm noun

/ˈɹɪ.ð(ə)m/

The variation of strong and weak elements (such as duration, accent) of sounds, notably in speech or music, over time; a beat or meter.

"Dance to the rhythm of the music."

Illustration unstressed

unstressed adjective

/ʌnˈstɹɛst/

(of a vowel) not stressed or accentuated

"In the word "banana," the first and third vowels are unstressed, while the second vowel is stressed. "

Illustration stressed

stressed verb

/stɹɛst/

To apply force to (a body or structure) causing strain.

"The weightlifter stressed the barbell, trying to lift it higher. "