ENGLISH
REFERENCE

rhythm

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈɹɪðəm// UK //ɹˈɪðəm// rhythm General-service

n. a regular, repeating pattern of sounds or movements. You can feel it in music when you tap your foot or in your body when you walk at a steady speed.

n. a strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound. Often used to describe the temporal structure of music, poetry, or biological processes.


SIMPLE

The drummer keeps a steady rhythm throughout the song.

CONTEXTUAL

After a few weeks in the new job, she finally found a comfortable daily rhythm.

COMPLEX

The poet uses an irregular rhythm to mirror the chaotic emotions of the narrator, intentionally breaking the expected meter to create a sense of unease.

Synonyms
Origin

First coined in 1557, from Latin rhythmus, from Ancient Greek ῥυθμός (rhuthmós, “any measured flow or movement, symmetry, rhythm”), from ῥέω (rhéō, “to flow, run, stream, gush”).

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the general concept of patterned sound; countable when referring to a specific type of pattern.

Pitfall

The song has a good rythm.The song has a good rhythm.Learners frequently misspell this word by omitting the first 'h' or the 'y'.

© 2026 English Reference