metre
gb/mˈitɚ/ us/mˈitɚ/
A2
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
quantity
1
metric unit of length
A measure of length in the metric system, equal to 100 centimeters.
Usage pattern:
[number] metre(s) long
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'metre' with 'meter' in spelling; 'metre' is British English, 'meter' is American English.
Synonyms
meter (Alternative spelling used in American English.)
Antonyms
inch (A smaller imperial unit of length used mainly in the US and UK.)
Collocations
ten metres long
|five-metre rope
|measure in metres
|metre stick
Themes
science
|measurement
|daily life
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The swimming pool is 25 metres long.
- He ran a hundred metres in record time.
- The table is about two metres wide.
- They measured the cloth in metres.
Learner examples
- My room is four metres wide.
- The road is ten metres long.
- This rope is five metres.
- We walk two metres to the door.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
2
rhythmic pattern in verse or music
The pattern of sounds in a poem or song, made by the beats or stresses in the words.
Usage pattern:
the metre of [a poem/song]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'metre' in poetry with 'meter' as a measuring device; context determines meaning.
Synonyms
rhythm (A more general term for the pattern of sounds or beats; not limited to formal poetic or musical structure.)
Antonyms
free verse (Poetry that does not follow a regular metrical pattern.)
Collocations
iambic metre
|regular metre
|change the metre
|musical metre
Themes
arts
|literature
|music
|arts_entertainment
|education
|communication
Examples
- Shakespeare often used iambic pentameter as his preferred metre.
- The composer experimented with different metres to create variety.
- This poem’s metre gives it a slow, solemn feeling.
- They analysed the metre to understand the poet’s style.
Learner examples
- The poem has a slow metre.
- This song has a fast metre.
- We study the metre of this poem.
- The metre makes the music happy.
Grammar
Dictionary form
metre
IPA
GB/mˈitɚ/
US/mˈitɚ/
Syllables & stress
metre (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (metre)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: metre
- Variant Spelling: meter
- Plural: metre, metres
Word family
Forms
meter
noun A2
metres
noun
Core family
Related words
millimetre
noun A2
Advanced or less common
metrical
adjective C1
Highlights
- Spelling Variant: meter Noun
Expressions
change the metre
1/t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒ ðə mˈitɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
alter poetic or musical rhythm
To make a different pattern of beats or stresses in a poem or song.
Examples
- The composer decided to change the metre halfway through the piece.
- Changing the metre can give a poem a fresh feeling.
metre per second
1/mˈitɚ pˈɚ sˈɛkənd/
fixed phrase
technical
unit of speed measurement
A way to measure speed, showing how many metres are traveled in one second.
Examples
- The car was moving at 20 metres per second.
- Wind speeds reached 15 metres per second.
square metre
1/skwˈɛɹ mˈitɚ/
fixed phrase
unit of area measurement
A way to measure area, equal to a square that is one metre on each side.
Examples
- The apartment measures 50 square metres.
- They need at least ten square metres for the garden.