Writing poetry can be a beautiful way to express emotions, tell stories, or paint pictures with words. One of the key elements of poetry is rhyme—it’s what gives poems their rhythm, their bounce, and sometimes even their magic. But did you know there are many different kinds of rhymes you can use? Some you’re probably familiar with, like the classic “cat” and “hat,” but others might surprise you.

In this blog, we’ll walk through seven different types of rhyming words for poems, and we’ll make sure you know how to use each type with examples and short verses. Whether you’re a poetry newbie or a seasoned writer looking to mix things up, these rhyming styles will give you some fresh ideas.

1. Perfect Rhyme

Let’s start with the most familiar: perfect rhyme. This is the kind of rhyme where two words sound exactly the same from the last stressed syllable onward. Think of words like “light” and “night”—you know right away they rhyme when you hear them.

Why It’s Useful: Perfect rhymes are easy to follow and give your poem a predictable, almost musical flow. Readers naturally expect the rhyme, so it feels satisfying.

Examples:

Moon and spoon
Light and night

Poem Example:
"The moon shines bright, a silver light,
It stays until the break of night."

Perfect rhymes make your poem feel polished and harmonious. They’re great for when you want your poem to have a smooth, flowing rhythm.

2. Slant Rhyme (Near Rhyme)

Now let’s shake things up with slant rhyme, also called near rhyme. This is when two words sound almost alike, but not quite. They don’t perfectly rhyme, which can add a little tension or surprise to your poem. Think of “home” and “come”—they don’t match exactly, but they’re close enough.

Why It’s Useful: Slant rhymes can make your poem feel a bit more modern and edgy. They’re less predictable than perfect rhymes, which can keep your reader on their toes.

Examples:

Hope and shape
Room and storm

Poem Example:
"I held my hope as it took shape,
A fleeting dream I couldn’t quite escape."

Slant rhymes create a sense of uncertainty or subtlety, which can be useful if your poem deals with themes of tension, complexity, or unspoken emotions.

3. Eye Rhyme

Eye rhymes are when two words look like they should rhyme—based on spelling—but when spoken, they don’t. For instance, “love” and “move” look like they would rhyme, but they actually don’t when you say them out loud.

Why It’s Useful: Eye rhymes can add a little playfulness or surprise to your poem. Your reader expects the rhyme when they see the words, but they get a little twist when they read it out loud.

Examples:

Love and move
Cough and bough

Poem Example:
"I thought my love could make you move,
But you stayed still, without a groove."

Eye rhymes work well when you want to play with expectations or add a visual twist. They make the reader pause and rethink how the words connect.

4. Internal Rhyme

Internal rhyme happens when you place a rhyme inside a line, rather than at the end. It’s like a secret little rhyme that makes the poem feel more lively and rhythmic. It’s often used in songs or spoken-word poetry because it adds a fast-paced, bouncy feel.

Why It’s Useful: Internal rhymes can make your poem feel more dynamic. It’s a great way to keep the reader’s attention moving quickly through the lines.

Examples:

"I bring fresh showers for thirsty flowers" (Shelley)
"The night was bright, a perfect sight."

Poem Example:
"The wind it blows, and softly shows,
A world of dreams where no one knows."

Internal rhyme speeds up the poem’s rhythm and can give it an energetic, almost playful tone. It’s a nice technique to mix things up and keep the poem from feeling too predictable.

5. End Rhyme

This is the most common type of rhyme—end rhyme, where the rhyming words come at the end of each line. It’s what you’ll find in most traditional poetry, nursery rhymes, and song lyrics. End rhyme gives a poem structure and makes it easy for readers to follow.

Why It’s Useful: End rhyme creates a clear, rhythmic pattern that readers expect. It gives the poem a sense of completeness and balance.

Examples:

Roses are red, violets are blue,
Sugar is sweet, and so are you.

Poem Example:
"The sea was calm, the air was cool,
We walked together, hand in hand, by the pool."

End rhymes make a poem feel organized and cohesive. They give a sense of structure and can make a poem easier to read and remember.

6. Identical Rhyme

This one’s a bit different—identical rhyme is when you use the same word (or a homophone) to rhyme with itself. While it might seem repetitive, it can be a clever way to emphasize an idea or theme within your poem.

Why It’s Useful: Identical rhymes are great for adding emphasis. When you repeat a word, it forces the reader to focus on that word’s meaning.

Examples:

Rain and rain
See and sea

Poem Example:
"The rain fell down, again and again,
It washed away all of my pain."

Identical rhymes create a rhythmic echo, making certain words feel more impactful. They’re great when you want to hammer home a particular feeling or idea.

7. Rich Rhyme

Rich rhyme is when two words sound the same but have different meanings—essentially homophones. This adds a layer of meaning to your poem, as the words may look or sound the same, but carry entirely different concepts.

Why It’s Useful: Rich rhymes are clever because they can play with the reader’s understanding of the words. It adds depth, as readers must consider the double meanings behind the rhyme.

Examples:

Knight and night
Write and right

Poem Example:
"The knight rode out into the night,
With dreams of peace and what is right."

Rich rhymes give your poem a thoughtful, layered quality. It’s a great way to add nuance and depth, inviting readers to think about the multiple meanings behind your words.

Conclusion

Rhyme can really change how a poem feels—whether it’s the straightforwardness of a perfect rhyme or the subtle surprise of a slant rhyme, each type has its own charm. Hopefully, these examples of rhyming words for poems have given you new ways to think about your writing and inspired you to try something different in your next poem.

For more ideas and insights on how words can shape your writing, Beyond Dictionary is a great resource. It’s filled with helpful tips and ideas that could open up new creative paths for you. Try it- I know you won’t be disappointed!