Feminine Rhyme

Feminine rhyme, a poetic device where rhymes end on a stressed syllable followed by one or more unstressed syllables, has graced the pages of poetry for centuries. With its unique ability to create a lilting rhythm and subtle complexity, feminine rhyme stands distinct from its counterpart, the more succinct masculine rhyme. But how do these two compare? Let's explore some examples of feminine rhyme in poetry and contrast it with the concise punch of masculine rhyme.

Feminine rhyme definition

A feminine rhyme is a rhyme that contains a stressed syllable followed by one or more unstressed syllables.

Here are a few examples:

1. "Motion" / "Ocean": This pair rhymes on the stressed syllable "-tion" and the unstressed syllable "-an."

2. "Slightly" / "Politely": This pair rhymes on the stressed syllable "-lite-" and the unstressed syllable "-ly."

3. "Bitter" / "Litter": This pair rhymes on the stressed syllable "-it-" and the unstressed syllable "-er."

These examples showcase how feminine rhymes can add a rhythmic complexity to the lines of poetry, often giving them a playful or nuanced feel.

Most feminine rhymes are two syllables long – this is known as double rhyme. Some examples include climbing/timing, and dangle/mangle.

A feminine rhyme that is three syllables long is known as a triple rhyme. Examples include history/mystery, and beautiful/dutiful.

Masculine rhyme vs. feminine rhyme

Masculine and feminine rhymes are terms used to categorize different types of end rhymes in poetry. The main difference between feminine and masculine rhymes is where the stress is placed. By stress, we mean which syllables are emphasised.

For example, in the word, ‘ago’, the second syllable (-‘go’) is stressed. In the word ‘temperature’, the first syllable (‘temp’-) is stressed. Say these words out loud and you'll hear what we mean. Some syllables are naturally more stressed (or accented) than others.

In a feminine rhyme, the stress is on the first syllable. This is followed by one or more unstressed syllables. Climbing/timing is an example of a feminine rhyme. Notice how the first syllable of each word (climb/time) is stressed, and the second syllable (‘ing’ in both words) is unstressed.

In contrast, a masculine rhyme places stress on the last syllable. Many masculine rhymes are only one syllable long, such as see/be. Some masculine rhymes are longer than one syllable, such as below/ago. Notice how in this example, the first syllable of each word (‘be’-/‘a’-) is unstressed, and the final syllable (‘low’/‘go’) is stressed. As you can see, the rhyme comes from this final, stressed syllable.

Fig. 1 - Masculine and feminine rhyme are rhyming techniques that differ in where the stress is placed in rhyming words.

Let's look at how this works in practice. In the examples below, notice where you naturally place the stress in the rhyming words:

Feminine vs. masculine rhyme: recap

See the table below for the main differences between feminine and masculine rhyme. In the examples, note where the stress is placed (indicated with bold.)

Feminine rhyme examples

Many different writers use feminine rhyme. Here we'll look at some famous examples.

Feminine rhyme in poetry

Note: In the following extracts, we have emphasised the feminine rhymes in bold to help you understand the concept. This is not how the poems were originally printed.

Throughout this poem, Tennyson alternates masculine and feminine rhymes. Notice the ABAB rhyme scheme of each stanza. The first and third lines (the ‘A’s) end in masculine rhymes, such as ‘hern’/‘fern’ and ‘down’/‘town.’ The second and fourth lines (the ‘B’s) end in feminine rhymes, such as ‘sally’/‘valley’ and ‘ridges’/‘bridges.’

The poem speaks from the perspective of the brook, and we get the sense that it will always keep moving no matter how much the world around it changes. The frequently alternating masculine and feminine rhymes help to reinforce this message by keeping the rhythm flowing steadily.

This playful poem demonstrates how feminine rhyme can be used for comic effect. The humour of the piece comes from the combination of unusual metaphors, rhythm, and highly original rhymes (it's unlikely that anybody would have rhymed ‘vacuum cleaner’ with ‘Ford Cortina’ before!).

This is a great example of how a feminine rhyme can contain more than one word. On their own, the words ‘free’/‘see’/‘be’ would be single-syllable masculine rhymes, but the repetition of the word ‘it’ that follows transforms them into feminine rhymes. Notice how in each rhyme, the first syllable (‘free’/‘see’/‘be’) is stressed, and then the repeated syllable (‘it’) is unstressed.

‘The Hill We Climb’ is an example of free verse. It does not follow a consistent rhyme scheme or meter, although Gorman does employ different types of rhyme at certain points. The extract above closes the poem. The satisfying, feminine rhyme neatly finishes the poem on a harmonious note, true to the uplifting message that she chooses to leave us with.

Feminine rhyme in song lyrics

This is another example of feminine rhyme being used for comic effect. Here UK rapper Giggs mixes British slang (‘geezers’) with some unexpected imagery (a list of friends so tiny that they have to be held with tweezers), creating an original and entertaining couplet.

Even in (what sounds like) a simple pop song, a feminine rhyme such as this can help to add variety to the usual single-syllable masculine rhymes.

These lines are smarter than they may appear at first. The word ‘bawlin’ is a play on the slang term ‘ballin’ (meaning a display of wealth and or status) that rappers often use in commercial rap songs. Steflon Don uses the homonym ‘bawlin’ (meaning crying) to add a downbeat twist. The use of feminine rhyme makes these lines stand out, encouraging us to question their meaning.

This song paints a picture of an unhappy couple through the creative portrayal of the songwriters. The man's work shoes ‘glistening’ contrasts with the dullness of the relationship. The suggestion that the couple has been granted a PhD and a knighthood for bickering and ignoring each other is both sombre and humorous (this is also an example of hyperbole).

The rhyme itself (‘glistening’/‘listening’) is a triple rhyme. Notice how there are two unstressed syllables (-‘en-ing’) after the initial stressed syllable (‘glist’-/‘list’-). This makes the rhyme slightly more complex than those you would normally find in a pop song, adding to the humour and creating a pleasing effect on the ear.

Effect of feminine rhyme

Feminine rhyme is used by poets, authors and song writers for specific effects. It can be used to:

• Create a comic effect
• Create rhythm (especially when there is no regular rhyme scheme used)
• Add variety to the usually used masculine rhyme
• Create emphasis on particular lines
• Create a sonically-pleasing effect