verse
gb/vˈɚs/ us/vˈɚs/
B1
English
~ 7700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
section of a song between choruses
A part of a song that has the same tune but usually different words each time, often coming before the chorus.
Usage pattern:
a verse of [a song]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'verse' with 'chorus'. A verse usually changes its words each time but keeps the same tune. The chorus repeats both the words and the tune and is often the most memorable part.
Synonyms
section (A very general word for any part of something; it does not specifically mean part of a song.)
Antonyms
chorus (The part of a song that repeats with the same words and tune, contrasting with the changing words in the verse.)
Collocations
first verse
|second verse
|sing the verse
|write a verse
|verse and chorus
|verse melody
Themes
music
|entertainment
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Examples
- The first verse sets up the story, and the chorus delivers the main message.
- She forgot the words to the second verse and had to hum through it.
- This song has three verses and then a long guitar solo.
- Try making the verses shorter so the chorus comes in faster.
- The rap verse comes after an instrumental intro and before the sung chorus.
Learner examples
- The singer repeats the chorus after every verse.
- I like the first verse of this song the most.
- He wrote a new verse for their wedding song.
- The verse is quiet, but the chorus is loud.
- Can you sing the second verse for me?
Noun
B2
entity
2
section or stanza of a poem
One part of a poem, made from lines that belong together and often have a special rhythm or rhyme.
Usage pattern:
a verse of [a poem]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'verse' always means 'song verse'. In literature classes, 'verse' or 'a verse of a poem' usually refers to a section or stanza of a poem, not to music.
Synonyms
stanza (A more technical literary term used mainly for poetry, especially in formal descriptions and analysis.)
Antonyms
prose (Refers to ordinary written or spoken language without the line-based structure typical of verse.)
Collocations
first verse of the poem
|final verse
|short verse
|rhyming verse
|recite a verse
|learn a verse
Themes
literature
|education
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Examples
- In the second verse of the poem, the mood becomes suddenly darker.
- Each verse follows the same rhyme scheme but describes a different season.
- The children took turns reading a verse aloud in class.
- The poet ended every verse with the same haunting line.
- This verse is much longer than the others and breaks the pattern.
Learner examples
- She wrote a short verse about her dog.
- Please read the first verse of the poem.
- The last verse is very sad.
- Each verse in this poem has four lines.
- He can recite that verse from memory.
Noun
B2
entity
3
poetry as a type of writing
Poetry in general, especially when you talk about it as a type of writing that is not normal text or prose.
Usage pattern:
to write in verse
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'verse' here must refer to a single line. In this sense, it is an uncountable noun like 'poetry', especially in phrases like 'write in verse' or 'good verse'.
Synonyms
poetry (The most direct equivalent; 'poetry' is more common in everyday speech, while 'verse' can sound slightly more literary or technical.)
Antonyms
prose (Names ordinary writing that is not divided into lines for rhythm, directly contrasting with verse as a form.)
Collocations
write in verse
|light verse
|comic verse
|epic verse
|blank verse
|good verse
Themes
literature
|art
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Examples
- She prefers writing in verse rather than in prose.
- His early verse is playful, but his later work becomes deeply serious.
- The play is written in blank verse, without regular rhyme.
- Light verse can still express serious ideas in a humorous way.
- The critic praised her verse for its musical quality and clarity.
Learner examples
- The book has stories in prose and poems in verse.
- Shakespeare wrote many plays in verse.
- He started to write verse when he was a teenager.
- This poem shows how powerful simple verse can be.
- Good verse can be hard to translate.
Noun
B1
entity
4
numbered line in a holy book
One of the numbered short parts of a chapter in the Bible or another holy book.
Usage pattern:
a verse from [a book/chapter of the Bible]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'verse' (a specific numbered part of a chapter) with 'version' (a particular translation or edition). For example, 'a Bible verse' is not the same as 'a Bible version'.
Synonyms
passage (A more general word for a part of a text; it is not necessarily numbered or as short as a verse.)
Antonyms
chapter (A much larger division within a book; contrasted with the smaller unit called a verse in religious texts.)
Collocations
Bible verse
|quote a verse
|memorize a verse
|chapter and verse
|favorite verse
|verse number
Themes
religion
|literature
|communication
Examples
- She reads a Bible verse every morning before work.
- The pastor asked the children to memorize one verse from the Gospel of John.
- He quoted a verse from the Qur’an to support his argument.
- This verse is often used in wedding ceremonies.
- Please turn to chapter three, verse sixteen.
Learner examples
- He can say this Bible verse by heart.
- We read one verse from the Psalms every night.
- The teacher wrote the verse on the board.
- She likes this verse because it gives her hope.
- Please read verse ten out loud.
Verb
slang
C1
action
5
compete against someone (slang)
In slang, to play or fight against another player or team in a game or match.
Usage pattern:
to verse [someone]
Common mistake:
Some learners copy this slang and use it in formal writing, but most teachers and style guides see verb 'verse' (from 'versus') as incorrect. In standard English, say 'play against', 'compete against', or 'face' someone, not 'verse' someone.
Synonyms
play (A standard and neutral verb for taking part in a game against someone; unlike 'verse', it is correct in all formal situations.)
Antonyms
team up with (Means to join together on the same side, the opposite of competing against each other.)
Collocations
verse each other
|verse that team
|we versed them
|verse me in
|who are we versing
|verse another player
Themes
games
|sports
|slang
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- Who are we versing in the finals tomorrow?
- We versed them last week and lost by one point.
- Do you want to verse me in this new fighting game?
- Our school is versing the champions from last year.
- They only versed each other once before the playoffs.
Learner examples
- Many gamers say they will verse another team.
- We versed a strong team yesterday.
- He wants to verse me in the next match.
- At lunch, the kids versed each other in a card game.
- Online, people often write that they versed a new player.
Grammar
Dictionary form
verse
IPA
GB/vˈɚs/
US/vˈɚs/
Syllables & stress
verse (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (verse)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: verse
- Plural: verse, verses
Word family
Expressions
chapter and verse
1/t͡ʃˈæptɚ ˈænd vˈɚs/
idiom
give full and exact details
To give all the facts and exact details about something, often including where the information comes from.
Examples
- The journalist could give chapter and verse on how the money was spent.
- If you challenge her, she will quote chapter and verse to prove she is right.
- The report sets out chapter and verse on the company’s safety failures.
in verse
1/ˈɪn vˈɚs/
fixed phrase
written in poetic form
Written as poetry, with lines and rhythm, not as normal continuous text.
Examples
- The entire novel is written in verse.
- She retold the old legend in verse for children.
- Many of his plays are partly in verse and partly in prose.