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Definition of haiku

haiku

/ˈhaɪ.kuː/
hai · ku
Plural:haiku
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haiku Lexical Profile

haiku Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A traditional Japanese poetic form, or an individual poem written in this style, typically consisting of three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables (or morae in Japanese) and often evoking seasonal nature imagery.

Example

"The students were asked to compose a haiku about the changing autumn leaves."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for haiku

Word Nuance & Usage

Both 'haiku' (invariant) and 'haikus' are accepted plural forms in standard English, though the invariant form 'haiku' is preferred in formal literary and academic contexts.

• Nearby Words

hai river
haifa
haifoss
haiku
hail
hailer
hailstone

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 19th century from Japanese 'haiku', a term popularized by the poet Masaoka Shiki as a blend of 'haikai' (comic or lighthearted linked verse) and 'hokku' (opening stanza of a linked-verse poem).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Haiku. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/haiku
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