How to Find Rhyming Words for Poetry
Write down as many rhymes as you can in two minutes., Go through the whole alphabet., Stretch the rhyme., Refer to a rhyming dictionary., Find alternate words with more natural rhymes., Reword the line.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Write down as many rhymes as you can in two minutes.
When you need a rhyme for a particular word, stop thinking about the poem for a moment.
Set a timer for a couple minutes and write down as many rhymes for that word as you can.
Repeat this exercise often to sharpen your rhyming sense. -
Step 2: Go through the whole alphabet.
Take the sound you need a rhyme for and put a "b" at the beginning, then a "c," and so on for all the consonants of the alphabet.
This is another exercise that will help you become more familiar with rhymes, although this usually only leads to short words.
For example, the word "scholar" rhymes with "baller," "collar," "dollar," etc.
Saying the new words aloud may help you find rhymes with different spellings. , Most poets emphasize flow and tone more than perfect rhymes, if their poems rhyme at all.
Explore "near rhyme" pairs that have similar but not identical sounds.
For example, pair mine/mind, green/fiend, or one/thumb.
Each of these pairs uses the same vowel sound, and ends with similar consonants. , Online or physical rhyming dictionaries provide lists of rhyming words to give you ideas.
One of the most popular online English rhyming dictionaries is Rhyme Zone.
Flipping through a thesaurus or dictionary can give you ideas, but it's tougher to look up a specific rhyme. , If the rhyme sounds forced, rewrite the first rhyming line with synonyms or related words.
An easier rhyme lets you guide the poem based on feel and topic, instead of twisting it to fit the rhyme.
For example, let's say you're writing a poem about a parrot captured as a pet.
Struggling with rhymes for "parrot," you write a first draft all about ferrets and carrots, which doesn't strike the tone you're looking for.
You could try again with "bird," "cockatoo," "macaw," or — as Alice Hepple chose in the following poem — "African Grey:"
This is similar to the last tactic, but involves rearranging the sentence instead of changing the final word.
For example, instead of trying to rhyme with "purple," rewrite the line to end with "a purple cast," "purple-bright," or "purple shade." -
Step 3: Stretch the rhyme.
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Step 4: Refer to a rhyming dictionary.
-
Step 5: Find alternate words with more natural rhymes.
-
Step 6: Reword the line.
Detailed Guide
When you need a rhyme for a particular word, stop thinking about the poem for a moment.
Set a timer for a couple minutes and write down as many rhymes for that word as you can.
Repeat this exercise often to sharpen your rhyming sense.
Take the sound you need a rhyme for and put a "b" at the beginning, then a "c," and so on for all the consonants of the alphabet.
This is another exercise that will help you become more familiar with rhymes, although this usually only leads to short words.
For example, the word "scholar" rhymes with "baller," "collar," "dollar," etc.
Saying the new words aloud may help you find rhymes with different spellings. , Most poets emphasize flow and tone more than perfect rhymes, if their poems rhyme at all.
Explore "near rhyme" pairs that have similar but not identical sounds.
For example, pair mine/mind, green/fiend, or one/thumb.
Each of these pairs uses the same vowel sound, and ends with similar consonants. , Online or physical rhyming dictionaries provide lists of rhyming words to give you ideas.
One of the most popular online English rhyming dictionaries is Rhyme Zone.
Flipping through a thesaurus or dictionary can give you ideas, but it's tougher to look up a specific rhyme. , If the rhyme sounds forced, rewrite the first rhyming line with synonyms or related words.
An easier rhyme lets you guide the poem based on feel and topic, instead of twisting it to fit the rhyme.
For example, let's say you're writing a poem about a parrot captured as a pet.
Struggling with rhymes for "parrot," you write a first draft all about ferrets and carrots, which doesn't strike the tone you're looking for.
You could try again with "bird," "cockatoo," "macaw," or — as Alice Hepple chose in the following poem — "African Grey:"
This is similar to the last tactic, but involves rearranging the sentence instead of changing the final word.
For example, instead of trying to rhyme with "purple," rewrite the line to end with "a purple cast," "purple-bright," or "purple shade."
About the Author
Abigail Ramos
Writer and educator with a focus on practical organization knowledge.
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