poetry

noun

POH-uh-tree/ˈpoʊətɹi/UKPOH-i-tree/ˈpəʊɪtɹi/

3 meanings of poetry

1
noununcountable
Writing set out in lines, with rhythm and sound patterns, often used to share feelings.
Like a song with no music: the words still keep a beat.
She loves reading poetry before she falls asleep.
Our teacher asked each of us to write poetry about the seasons.
Similarverse
Oppositeprose
2
nounfigurativelyuncountable
A beautiful quality in something that touches your feelings, found in art, movement, or a scene.
Like the chill you feel watching a beautiful sunset.
There was real poetry in the way the dancer moved across the stage.
The quiet old fishing village had a poetry all its own.
Similarlyricism, beauty, artistry, grace, elegance
3
noununcountable
The poems and verse that a single poet has created.
Like an artist's paintings, but made out of words.
Her poetry has been translated into more than a dozen languages.
We spent the whole lesson reading Whitman's poetry aloud.
Similarverse, poems
Oppositeprose

Practice

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Origin

It came through Old French from Latin, and before that from Greek 'poiētḗs', meaning 'poet' or 'maker'.