What is an End Rhyme? Here's an easy definition:
End rhymes are rhymes found in the last words or lines of poetry. End rhymes are used in lines like these from Dorothy Parker's poem, "Interview".
Additional information about ending rhymes:
- Poetry's end rhyme is so obvious and common that people might not be aware that internal rhymes exist.
- End rhyme doesn't mean that lines two and three must rhyme. End rhyme does not require the repetition of rhymes in two lines. End-rhyme can still be used for a poem which alternates rhymes within the last word.
- End rhymes can also be referred to as "tail rhyme" and "terminal rhyme."
Cease to rhyme and change the pattern Stop the flow of words so evergreen No more lines that fit together Say goodbye to that old routine
Formal verse refers to rhymed poetry using a strict meters. End rhymes follow a rhyme pattern, or a scheme. Rhyme structures are described using letters on the alphabet. So each line of verse that corresponds in some way to the rhyme type used in the poem receives a letter beginning at "A". For example, a poem of four lines in which one line rhymes and the other rhymes with another has the rhyme scheme ABAB.
Let me weep while you have eyes to see.
Even though I have none, I will still keep them.
Weep for you with a heart
End rhymes are not all the same. It is possible for poems to use end rhymes in sporadic instances, but all rhymes must use end rhyme.
End Rhymes Can Have Different Types Of Rhymes
When thinking about rhymes, most people are only thinking about perfect rhymes. Perfect rhymes include words that contain identical sounds such as "game", "tame," "element", or "elephant." There are many types of rhymes and they can all be used to make end rhymes. Take this example:
- Terminal pararhyme is an example of an end rhyme where all consonants of two or more words are identical, such as "I look at leaves/and think about past loves."
- This is an example of a terminal rhyme. It's an end rhyme that has two words with the same sound but one word ends in an extra syllable.
End rhymes can be considered perfect rhymes, as most of them are. A few people would argue that end rhyme must occur in every word. Semirhymes are not considered end rhymes. However, not all agree with this rigid position. It is important to recognize that there are such arguments, but not worry about "who's right". ).
For more information on the many types of rhymes available to create end-rhymes, visit the LitCharts page on rhyme.
End Rhyme examples
Poetry End Rhymes
Contemporary poetry does not have the same popularity for end rhyme as in past centuries. End rhyme is still a popular feature of poetry from the past, and in many cases more well-known than modern poetry. End rhyme, is still common among poetry for children.
End Rhyme of Dickinson's poem "Because it was impossible to stop for Death"
Emily Dickinson wrote this poem using end rhymes. This rhyme is perfect.
Because I couldn't keep my eyes off of Death
He was kind enough to stop by and help me.
The Carriage was not only for Ourselves.
Und Immortality.
End Rhyme from Dr. Seuss'#39s Horton hears a who!
End rhymes are used in Dr. Seuss's children's books. This is Horton Hears A Who!, which shows how perfect end rhymes can be used to create a singsongy effect. It's perfect for books and stories.
The fifteenth of Mai, in Nool's jungle
In the heat, in the pool.
He was swimming… taking in the joys of the jungle…
Horton the Elephant heard a faint sound.
End Rhyme of John Newton's book "Amazing Grace"
"Common verse" is the metrical format used to write the popular Christian hymn "Amazing Grace". It consists of lines of 4 (iambic-tetrameter) lines alternated with lines of 3 (iambic trimeter). End rhymes can be described as perfect rhymes.
How blessed and wonderful is God's grace! Amazing grace!
It saved me, a miserable wretch.
I was once lost; now, I'm found.
I was blind. Now I see.
End Rhyme In Creeley'#39;s "The Conspiracy."
Robert Creeley used end rhyme in the second and third couplets of his poem. It is a subtler, more difficult-to-identify type known as slant, which involves the use orsonance at the end of each line.
Things are more awake than they seem
Even by random communicationLet's do it suddenly
proclaim spring. Jeer!
End Rhyme for Song Lyrics
End rhymes are very common lyrics. It's so common, in fact, that song lyrics must rhyme. 21 Pilots was inspired to wish that the first verse of "Stressed out" didn't rhyme.
End Rhyme, "Stressed Out", 21 Pilots
I wish I could have heard better sounds than everyone else.
I wish my voice was better and I could speak better.
I would love to find chords that are new.
I wish I didn't have a rhyme for every song.It was said that my fears would diminish as I age.
But I'm now insecure and care about the opinions of others.My name is Blurryface.
My name is Blurryface.We would love to go back in time and see the good old days.
We were sung to sleep by our momma, but we are now stressed out
We wish we could go back in time to the good times
We were sung to sleep by our momma, but we are now stressed out
This song does not rhyme in every line. Even though the singer wishes that he didn'st have every line rhyme, he rhymes each of the next eight lines.
End Rhyme of "California Dreaming", The Mamas & The Papas
Here's a portion of a classic song by The Mamas & The Papas. It features the same rhymes on the sound "ay."
All the leaves in the forest are brown and all the sky's grey
I went for a walk in the winter.
If I was living in L.A. I'd feel safe & warm.
California dreamsing on such winter's days
End Rhyme, "Work" Rihanna
Not all rhymes are perfect. Instead, they may be a type o slant rhyme. Below is an example of a terminal slant rhyming in Rihanna's song Work.
It's mine, and you deserve it
You don't have to be there!
It might be something you like if I get it right
I know you were the most pleasant person to deal with.
I am righteous, and nobody touches me
In a crisis, nobody texts me
All of your dreams were my reality.
You took my heart, keys and patience
You stole my heart and made a decorative decoration of my sleeves
My love, which I gave for you as foundation, is not your mistake
Notice how "deserved to it" & "lurkin", which have the same vowel sounds (ur-ih), as "like it", "nicest", and "duration", and "patience" & "patience".
("ae-uh"). These words can be considered a slant rhyme due to the use of assonance.
Why do writers use end rhymes?
Poets use end rhyme for many of the same reasons they use rhyme in general: because it makes language sound more beautiful and thoughtfully-composed, like music. End rhymes are also a way to improve the rhythm of poetry, particularly formal verse. Formal verse has the same number syllables, so end rhymes occur at regular intervals. End rhymes can also be used to emphasize the last words of a poem. The regularity and increased emphasis on ending rhymes give the poem a feeling of a beat. This increased rhythmic sense makes poetry easier to understand and easier to memorize.
Many poets today are not using rhyme. End rhyme is a particular problem for modern poets, who feel it can make poems too repetitive. However, end rhymes are still popular with children's book authors and songwriters. They want their songs to be simple to understand, memorize, and listen to. Song lyrics are a common use of end rhyme. It is often used with internal rhyme to increase how many rhymes can be contained in one line. This makes songs more rhythmic, memorable, and even more memorable.
