poetry

poetry — noun

1. poems as a kind of writing, or the art of writing them.

1.nounB1
Definition

poems as a kind of writing, or the art of writing them.

Example

Naomi reads Japanese poetry on the train every morning.

read poetry + time expression

Our teacher asked us to write poetry about city life.

write poetry about + topic

Common collocations
  • write poetry
  • read poetry
  • modern poetry
  • children's poetry
  • poetry by Neruda
Synonyms
  • verse

    more literary and often stresses line form or rhythm

  • poems

    plain plural form when you mean separate works rather than the art form

  • literature

    much broader because it also includes prose, drama, and other writing

Antonyms
  • prose

    ordinary writing that does not normally use poetic line form

Grammar Patterns

write poetry

read poetry

poetry by + writer

book of poetry

Usage Note

Usually uncountable. Distinguish from poem: a poem is one piece of writing, while poetry refers to the art form or to poems as a group.

Common Mistakes

She wrote a poetry for the school show.
She wrote a poem for the school show.
Use poem for one piece of writing; poetry is uncountable in this sense.

2. a special beauty or deep feeling that makes something seem like a poem.

2.nounC1
Definition

a special beauty or deep feeling that makes something seem like a poem.

Example

There was poetry in the old man's slow, careful hands.

there is poetry in + noun

The film finds poetry in empty streets after the rain.

find poetry in + ordinary scene

Common collocations
  • the poetry of the moment
  • find poetry in silence
  • poetry in everyday life
  • lacked poetry
  • bring poetry to a scene
Synonyms
  • beauty

    broader and does not always suggest deep feeling or artistic quality

  • lyricism

    often used for a graceful or musical quality in style, speech, or movement

  • grace

    focuses more on smoothness and elegance than emotional richness

Antonyms
  • plainness

    suggests a lack of beauty, richness, or emotional effect

  • flatness

    emphasizes that something feels dull or without emotional life

Grammar Patterns

the poetry of + noun

poetry in + noun

find poetry in + noun

Usage Note

Often appears in patterns like the poetry of a place or find poetry in everyday things. It commonly describes quiet beauty in scenes, movement, or expression rather than written texts.

Common Mistakes

The poem of the room came from the candlelight.
The poetry of the room came from the candlelight.
This sense names a quality of beauty, not one written piece.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Poetry is broader than poem. A poem is one separate piece of writing, but poetry can mean the whole art of writing poems or a body of poems by one writer, period, or culture. Verse is more literary and often points to line form, rhythm, or style; it can sometimes replace poetry, but it sounds less everyday. Prose is the main opposite, because it refers to ordinary writing that does not normally use poetic lines and rhythm. Poetry also has a figurative sense meaning poetic beauty in a scene or action. Say She writes poetry every night, but She published three poems last year. Say The garden path had a quiet poetry after the rain.

poetry ↗poem ↗verse ↗prose ↗

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

Poetry entered English through French from Latin and Greek words connected with poets and poem-making. The oldest idea behind the word is making or creating, which suits the way poetry is understood as a crafted art rather than ordinary speech.