Rhyme Scheme: Meaning, Types, and Examples

A rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhyming words at the end of each line in a poem. It shows which lines rhyme with each other.

Poets use rhyme schemes to give poems a smooth flow, a clear rhythm, and a memorable sound.

When you are writing or editing poetry, Trinka’s free grammar checker can help you check grammar, spelling, and punctuation before you share your work.

What does a rhyme scheme look like?

A rhyme scheme uses letters like A, B, C, and D to show which lines rhyme.

Lines that end with the same sound get the same letter. When a new ending sound appears, it gets the next letter.

Example:

Roses are red A
Violets are blue B
Sugar is sweet C
And so are you B

The rhyme scheme is ABCB because the second- and fourth-lines rhyme: blue and you.

How to find a rhyme scheme

To find the rhyme scheme of a poem, look at the ending sound of each line.

Steps to find a rhyme scheme

1. Read the poem aloud.
2. Listen to the sound at the end of each line.
3. Mark the first ending sound as A.
4. If another line has the same ending sound, mark it as A too.
5. If a line has a new ending sound, mark it as B.
6. Continue this pattern until the end of the poem.
7. Write the letters together to get the rhyme scheme.

Example

The stars appear above A
The moon begins to glow B
The night is full of love A
The rivers softly flow B

The rhyme scheme is ABAB because above rhymes with love, and glow rhymes with flow.

Common types of rhyme schemes

There are many types of rhyme schemes. Some are used in specific poem forms, while others can be used in many different kinds of poems.

1. Alternate rhyme: ABAB

In an alternate rhyme, the first and third lines rhyme, and the second and fourth lines rhyme.

Example

The sun sets low behind the hill A
The birds return across the bay B
The evening air grows calm and still A
The shadows close the end of day B

The rhyme scheme is ABAB because hill rhymes with still, and bay rhymes with day.

Alternate rhyme gives a poem a balanced and smooth sound.

2. Coupled rhyme: AABB

In a coupled rhyme, two lines rhyme together, followed by another pair of rhyming lines.

Example

The cat sat near the garden wall A
And watched the golden leaves fall A
The dog ran past the old blue gate B
And reached the porch a little late B

The rhyme scheme is AABB because wall rhymes with fall, and gate rhymes with late.

Coupled rhyme is common in short poems, children’s poems, and song lyrics.

3. Enclosed rhyme: ABBA

In an enclosed rhyme, the first and fourth lines rhyme, while the second and third lines rhyme.

Example

The candle flickers in the night A
The window hums with falling rain B
The room feels still, despite the rain B
Until the dawn returns with light A

The rhyme scheme is ABBA because night rhymes with light, and rain rhymes with rain.

This rhyme scheme creates a closed and complete feeling in the poem.

4. Monorhyme: AAAA

In a monorhyme, every line in the poem or stanza ends with the same rhyming sound.

Example

The sky was bright and clear A
The birds were singing near A
The bells rang loud to hear A
The morning felt sincere A

The rhyme scheme is AAAA because all the lines end with the same sound.

5. Simple four-line rhyme: ABCB

In this rhyme scheme, only the second and fourth lines rhyme.

Example

The road was long and wide A
The river shone in blue B
The trees stood side by side C
The sky looked fresh and new B

The rhyme scheme is ABCB because blue rhymes with new.

This rhyme scheme is often used in ballads, songs, and simple poems.

6. Chain rhyme: ABA BCB CDC

In a chain rhyme, the rhyme from one stanza continues into the next stanza. A stanza is a group of lines in a poem.

Example

The waves moved softly on the shore A
The moon rose high above the sea B
The wind began to speak once more A

The stars looked down so wild and free B
The night became a silver flame C
The waves kept singing back to me B

The rhyme scheme is ABA BCB because the second rhyme sound of one stanza is carried into the next stanza.

What is a limerick rhyme scheme?

A limerick is a short, five-line poem. It usually has an AABBA rhyme scheme. Limericks often have a funny or playful tone.

Example

There once was a painter named Ray A
Who painted the sky everyday A
He spilled all his blue B
On his left running shoe B
And walked with a cloud on the way A

The rhyme scheme is AABBA because Ray, day, and way rhyme, while blue and shoe rhyme.

Tip:

Once you finish writing your poem, you can review it with Trinka’s free grammar checker to check grammar, spelling, punctuation, and overall clarity before sharing it.

Do all poems have a rhyme scheme?

No, not all poems have a rhyme scheme. Some poems do not rhyme at all.

Poets may choose not to use rhyme because they want to focus more on meaning, images, feelings, or natural speech.

Common poem forms without regular rhyme

• Free verse: Poetry without a fixed rhyme or rhythm.
• Blank verse: Poetry with rhythm but no rhyme.
• Prose poetry: Poetry written in paragraph form instead of line breaks.

What are near rhymes?

Near rhymes are words that sound similar but do not rhyme perfectly. Poets use near rhymes to make poems sound natural and less predictable.

Examples of near rhymes

• Hand and lend
• Soul and all
• Time and mine
• Shape and keep

Near rhymes are useful when the poet wants a softer or more flexible sound.

What are the benefits of rhyme scheme?

A rhyme scheme gives a poem shape and sound. It helps readers hear patterns and remember important lines.

Rhyme schemes help with:

• Rhythm
• Flow
• Emphasis
• Memory
• Tone
• Structure

A good rhyme scheme can make a poem more enjoyable to read and easier to remember.

How to use rhyme scheme in your writing

Before choosing a rhyme scheme, think about the feeling you want your poem to create.

For example, a coupled rhyme like AABB can sound quick and playful. An alternate rhyme like ABAB can sound smoother and more balanced.

However, do not force a rhyme if it weakens your meaning. The message of your poem should come first. The rhyme should support the poem, not control it.