SKIP TO CONTENT

limerick

/ˈlɪmərɪk/
/ˈlɪmrɪk/
IPA guide

Other forms: limericks

A limerick is a humorous form of poetry that rhymes and has five lines. Many limericks are dirty.

When you study literature, you'll probably read some sonnets, sestinas, haiku, and plays written in verse: there might not be much attention given to limericks. That's because limericks are a more popular, non-literary form of poetry: they're mainly humorous and often sexual. A limerick has five lines and follows the rhyme scheme aabba, using what is called anapestic meter (which has to do with syllables). Many limericks involve a man from Nantucket, usually doing something unprintable with a bucket.

Definitions of limerick
  1. noun
    a humorous verse form of 5 anapestic lines with a rhyme scheme aabba
    see moresee less
    type of:
    rhyme, verse
    a piece of poetry
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘limerick'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of gold-punch.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family