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Definition of pentameter

pentameter

/pɛnˈtæm.ə.tɚ/
pen · tam · e · ter
Plural:pentameters
•
Adjective:pentametric
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pentameter Lexical Profile

pentameter Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A line of verse consisting of five metrical feet, or the poetic meter characterized by such lines.

Example

"Shakespeare wrote the vast majority of his plays and sonnets in iambic pentameter."

• adjective

1

Composed of or relating to lines of verse having five metrical feet.

Example

"The poet structured the entire elegy in strict pentameter verse."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for pentameter

• Rhymes for pentameter

• Nearby Words

pentagon
pentagonal
pentagram
pentameter
pentas
pentathlete
pentathlon

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-16th century from Latin pentameter, which comes from Ancient Greek pentametros ('having five measures'), combining pente ('five') and metron ('measure').

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

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