Word
stanza
Phoneticsstan·za, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈstænzə/
UK/stˈænzɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a group of lines that form one section of a poem. It is like a paragraph, but for poetry.
n. a group of lines forming the basic recurring metrical unit in a poem; a verse. Often separated from other sections by a blank line.
Examples
“The first stanza of the poem describes a dark forest.”
“The poet uses a shorter final stanza to emphasize the sudden change in the story's mood.”
“In this specific sonnet, the transition between the second and third stanza marks a shift from describing the problem to offering a potential solution.”
Examples
simple
“The first stanza of the poem describes a dark forest.”
contextual
“The poet uses a shorter final stanza to emphasize the sudden change in the story's mood.”
complex
“In this specific sonnet, the transition between the second and third stanza marks a shift from describing the problem to offering a potential solution.”
Usage
Commonly used in literary analysis; synonymous with 'verse' in casual conversation.
Etymology
From Italian stanza, from Vulgar Latin stantia (“standing, stopping-place”), from Latin stāns, stantis, from stō, stāre, from Proto-Italic staēō, from Proto-Indo-European sth₂éh₁yeti, stative verb from steh₂- (whence English stand). Doublet of stance.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/stanza