# limerick

/ˈɫɪmɝɪk/ (US) · /lˈɪməɹˌɪk/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/limerick
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a short, funny poem that has five lines. The first, second, and fifth lines rhyme with each other, while the third and fourth lines are shorter and have their own rhyme.

For teachers: a form of humorous verse consisting of five lines with an AABBA rhyme scheme. The third and fourth lines are typically shorter than the others, and the rhythm is usually anapestic.

## Examples

- He wrote a funny limerick about a man from France.
- During the talent show, the student recited a clever limerick that made the entire audience laugh.
- While often associated with nursery rhymes or lighthearted wordplay, the limerick has also been used by serious poets to demonstrate technical mastery within a rigid, rhythmic structure.

## Usage notes

- Commonly follows the naming convention 'There once was a... from...' in its opening line.

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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.