Sonnet - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A sonnet is a 14-line poem with a fixed rhyme scheme, often exploring themes of love or beauty. It traditionally follows iambic pentameter and has specific structural forms like Shakespearean or Petrarchan.
Definition:
A 14-line poem with a fixed rhyme scheme, often expressing love or deep emotion.
Synonyms:
poem, verse, lyric, ode
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
prose, free verse
Common Collocations:
Shakespearean sonnet, Petrarchan sonnet, write a sonnet, love sonnet, sonnet sequence
Derivatives:
sonneteer, sonnetize
Usage Tips:
Use "sonnet" to refer to structured 14-line poems, often in iambic pentameter with specific rhyme patterns.
Common Phrases:
Shakespearean sonnet, Petrarchan sonnet, Spenserian sonnet
Etymology:
From Italian "sonetto," meaning "little song," derived from Latin "sonus" (sound).
Examples:
- 1. She wrote a beautiful sonnet about the sunset.
- 2. Shakespeare’s most famous sonnet begins with “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”
- 3. The poet recited a heartfelt sonnet at the wedding.
- 4. He struggled to follow the strict rhyme scheme of the Petrarchan sonnet.