metrical
gb/mˈɛtɹɪkəl/ us/mˈɛtɹɪkəl/
C1
English
~ 28000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
technical
C1
property
1
relating to poetic or musical meter
About the pattern of strong and weak beats in a poem or sometimes in music.
Usage pattern:
[something] is metrical / the metrical pattern of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "metrical" with "metric". In poetry and music, "metrical" is more common for talking about patterns of beats in verse, while "metric" is used more broadly in fields like mathematics, statistics, or project management.
Synonyms
metric (Used in prosody with a similar meaning, but also widely used in other fields like mathematics and data analysis.)
|
rhythmic (More general; can refer to any kind of rhythm, not specifically the formal meter of verse.)
Antonyms
unmetrical (Describes verse that does not follow a regular metrical pattern.)
Collocations
metrical pattern
|metrical structure
|metrical analysis
|metrical feet
|metrical scheme
Themes
literature
|music
|language
|arts_entertainment
|education
Examples
- The poem’s tight metrical pattern contrasts with its chaotic imagery.
- Students were asked to scan the lines and describe their metrical structure.
- The composer mirrored the poem’s metrical rhythm in the vocal line.
- Different languages favor different metrical feet in traditional verse.
- Her metrical analysis showed that the poet often broke the pattern for effect.
Learner examples
- We studied the metrical pattern of the poem in class.
- This line has a very simple metrical structure.
- He wrote a paper about the metrical rhythm in Shakespeare’s plays.
- The song follows the same metrical scheme as the poem.
- I find it hard to hear the metrical beat in this verse.
adjective
technical
C1
property
2
written in verse with meter
Written as poetry with a regular beat, not as normal prose writing.
Usage pattern:
[something] is a metrical [poem / version / translation]
Common mistake:
Learners may think "metrical" here simply means "musical". It specifically means that the words are arranged in regular poetic lines with a repeating beat, even if there is no melody.
Synonyms
verse (Used attributively (e.g., "a verse translation"); emphasizes that something is in verse, without directly mentioning meter.)
|
metricalized (Specialized; stresses that prose has been turned into metrical verse.)
Antonyms
prose (Describes writing that is not in verse and does not follow a regular metrical pattern.)
Collocations
metrical psalm
|metrical version
|metrical translation
|metrical paraphrase
|metrical form
Themes
literature
|religion
|language
|arts_entertainment
|education
Examples
- The hymnal includes both prose and metrical psalms.
- She produced a metrical translation of the epic that preserves the original rhyme scheme.
- The metrical version is easier to sing in church services.
- They compared a literal prose rendering with a freer metrical paraphrase.
- The text was adapted into a simple metrical form for children.
Learner examples
- This is a metrical version of the old story.
- The book has a prose text and a metrical text.
- He wrote a metrical translation of the poem in English.
- We sang a metrical psalm at the service.
- The metrical form makes the words easier to remember.
adjective
technical
C2
property
3
relating to systems of measurement
About systems or units of measurement, especially the metric system with meters, liters, and grams.
Usage pattern:
[something] uses metrical units / metrical measurements
Common mistake:
Learners usually say "metric" instead of "metrical" for this meaning, which is correct in modern English. "Metrical" in this sense is rare and can sound old-fashioned or overly technical.
Synonyms
metric (Standard modern choice in this sense; "metrical" sounds older or more formal and is much less common.)
Antonyms
imperial (Refers to the non-metric system of measurement used in some countries, contrasting with metrical/metric systems.)
Collocations
metrical units
|metrical system
|metrical measurements
|metrical data
|metrical analysis
Themes
science
|mathematics
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The older textbook still refers to the "c.g.s. metrical system" of units.
- Engineers now prefer strictly metrical measurements in all specifications.
- The study relied on precise metrical data gathered over several months.
Learner examples
- The machine shows values in metrical units.
- Some countries use metrical systems, and others use imperial systems.
- Scientists like clear metrical measurements in their reports.
- We changed the plan to use metrical units only.
- The metrical data helps us compare the two tests.
Grammar
Dictionary form
metrical
IPA
GB/mˈɛtɹɪkəl/
US/mˈɛtɹɪkəl/
Syllables & stress
met - ric - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (met)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: metrical
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.