Word
verse
US/ˈvɝs/
UK/vˈɜːs/
Definitions
01part of a song
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Music
n. one of the parts of a song that has the same music but different words each time.
n. a structural unit of a song, typically consisting of several rhyming lines, that alternates with the chorus.
日本語:（歌の）節※
“I can remember the chorus of that song, but I always forget the second verse.”
“The songwriter decided to strip back the instrumentation during the first verse to create a more intimate connection with the listener before the heavy chorus.”
Synonyms
02poetry
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. writing that is arranged in lines with a regular rhythm or rhyme.
n. writing arranged with a metrical rhythm, typically having a thematic or formal structure.
“The children practiced reading the verse aloud to hear the rhythm of the words.”
“The collection includes both traditional rhyming verse and more experimental free-verse compositions that ignore standard meter.”
Antonyms
03religious text
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Religion
n. a short, numbered section of a chapter in a holy book like the Bible or Quran.
n. a short numbered subdivision of a chapter in a sacred text.
“The priest asked the congregation to turn to the third verse of the chapter.”
“Scholars spent years debating the precise translation of this specific verse, noting its linguistic similarities to older Aramaic dialects.”
04to educate or inform
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to teach someone about a subject or make them an expert in it.
v. to make someone familiar with or knowledgeable about a particular subject. Usually used in the passive voice with 'in'.
“She is well versed in local history and can tell you all about the old buildings.”
“The legal team was thoroughly versed in international maritime law, ensuring they were prepared for any jurisdictional challenges during the trial.”
Usage
Commonly appears as 'to be well versed in' something.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “verse” in context.
Verb
01. compose verse
“He spent his afternoons in the garden attempting to compose verse.”
verb + noun
02. interpret verse
“Scholars continue to interpret this specific verse in many different ways.”
verb + noun
03. recite verse
“Students were asked to recite a verse from their favorite poem in front of the class.”
verb + noun
04. skip verse
“The choir decided to skip the second verse to save time during the ceremony.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. biblical verse
“The priest quoted a biblical verse to offer comfort to the grieving family.”
adj + noun
06. opening verse
“The opening verse of the song sets a melancholic tone for the entire album.”
adj + noun
07. rhyming verse
“Children often find it easier to memorize stories written in rhyming verse.”
adj + noun
08. subsequent verse
“The meaning of the poem becomes clearer in each subsequent verse.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. chapter and verse
“I can't give you chapter and verse, but I know the regulations forbid this.”
noun + and + noun
10. line of verse
“She struggled to remember the final line of the verse.”
noun + prep + noun
11. give chapter and verse
“The lawyer was able to give chapter and verse on the new tax legislation.”
12. set a verse to music
“The composer decided to set the final verse to music for the soprano soloist.”
Real-World Examples
“The hollow beat fills the compound as voices rise in Mandinka, one woman leading a verse before the others answer in chorus.” “The form dates back to the verse letters of the Roman Empire, where it was popularized by Horace and Ovid.” Etymology
From Middle English vers, from a mixture of Old English fers and Old French vers; both from Latin versus (“a line in writing, and in poetry a verse; (originally) row, furrow”), from vertō (“to turn around”).
Back-formation from versus, misconstrued as a third-person singular verb verses.
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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/verse
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0