English Reference
adjective

rhythmic

adj.
US /ˈɹɪðmɪk/ UK /ɹˈɪðmɪk/ rhyth·mic

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    having a regular, repeating pattern of sound or movement that feels like a beat.

    characterized by a regular, recurring pattern of sounds, beats, or movements.

    Simple

    The rhythmic sound of the rain on the roof helped him fall asleep.

    In context

    The rhythmic ticking of the grandfather clock was the only sound in the otherwise silent library.

    steadymeasuredcadenced
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Music

    relating to the rhythm or beat in music.

    relating to the temporal structure of music, specifically the arrangement of sounds and silences in time.

    Simple

    The drummer provided a strong rhythmic foundation for the rest of the band.

    In context

    The composer experimented with complex rhythmic patterns that challenged the traditional expectations of the audience.

    metrical
  3. 03 C1 Advanced Literary Literary

    written with a regular beat or pattern, like a poem.

    written in verse or characterized by a metrical structure, often involving rhyme or specific syllable patterns.

    Simple

    The rhythmic flow of the poem made it very easy to memorize.

    In context

    The translator struggled to preserve the rhythmic qualities of the original epic while maintaining literal accuracy.

    metricalpoetic

From Ancient Greek ῥυθμικός (rhuthmikós), from ῥυθμός (rhuthmós, “measured flow or movement, symmetry, rhythm”) + -ικός (-ikós, suffix forming adjectives), equivalent to rhythm + -ic.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated