# haiku

/ˈhaɪku/ (US) · /hˈaɪkuː/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/haiku
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

a short Japanese poem that has three lines. The first and third lines have five syllables, and the middle line has seven.

For teachers: a traditional Japanese poetic form consisting of three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables respectively. Often focuses on imagery from nature or a specific moment in time.

## Examples

- She wrote a haiku about the falling leaves.
- The teacher asked the students to write a haiku to practice counting syllables in English words.
- While traditional Japanese haiku often include a seasonal reference word, modern English versions sometimes prioritize the syllable structure over these classical thematic requirements.

## Usage notes

- The plural can be either 'haiku' or 'haikus'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.