verse

Writing arranged with rhythm and careful sounds, often in lines, rather than ordinary sentences.

• She enjoys reading verse.
• The story is written in verse.
• He published a small collection of verse.

Similar words: poetry

Opposites: prose

Common phrases: write verse, in verse, book of verse

A short, numbered section of the Bible.

• She read a Bible verse aloud.
• Which verse mentions forgiveness?
• The pastor explained three verses from the same chapter.

Common phrases: bible verse, chapter and verse, read a verse

A short, numbered part of a holy book, such as the Bible or the Quran.

• He recited a verse from the Quran.
• They discussed the meaning of a sacred verse.
• The passage contains several verses about kindness.

Common phrases: quranic verse, sacred verse, verse of scripture

Poetry written with a regular beat and a fixed pattern of matching sounds at line endings.

• The poem uses regular verse.
• Students compared prose with carefully patterned verse.
• Writing rhymed verse requires attention to sound and rhythm.

Similar words: poetry

Opposites: prose

Common phrases: rhymed verse, metrical verse, regular verse

To study a subject deeply until you know it well.

• She versed herself in local history.
• He spent years versing himself in classical literature.
• To verse oneself in law required long hours of study.

How to use it: verse oneself in something (She versed herself in the history of the region.)

Similar words: study

Common phrases: verse oneself in, verse in literature

To teach someone about a subject so that they understand it well.

• The teacher versed us in ancient customs.
• She versed her assistant in the rules.
• Who versed you in this difficult subject?

How to use it: verse someone in something (He versed the students in the basics of logic.)

Similar words: instruct, teach

Common phrases: verse someone in, verse the students