metres - Master This Word
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metres Word Meanings
- a unit of measurement equal to 100 centimeters
- the basic metric unit of length
- a rhythmical structure in poetry
metres Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
metres Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈmiːtə/
US
/ˈmiːtər/
metres Word Etymology
Root decomposition: 'metre' comes from 'metrum' (Greek) via 'mètre' (French). Historical origin: Greek through Latin and Old French to English. Memory image: Imagine a ruler that measures out exactly one hundred ants, illustrating precision and measurement in everyday life.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I grip the tape, move it along the desk, and let the edge click at a metre. I hold the line steady, adjust my grip, and push a little to keep it true. The soft ticks of the clock keep time as I feel the attention shift from hand to breath, like tuning a rhythm. That quiet length—the metre—seems to flow into a line of poetry, turning measurement into music you can carry in your head.
Real Context
Metre is a versatile noun in English. The standard metric unit of length is metre, equal to one hundred centimeters, used in science, engineering, and everyday measurement in most of the world outside the United States. It also appears as metre in poetry, where it refers to the rhythmic structure or pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables; poets often discuss iambic or trochaic metres. In everyday language, people might refer to an object's length in metres, for example the room is 5 metres long. Note the British spelling metre vs American meter, and the two senses can be confused; remember both the unit and the rhythm sense share the same word with different contexts.
Usage Reminders
- Remember metre refers to two notions: a length unit and poetic rhythm. Use metres when measuring distances; use metres when describing a poem's rhythm. Spelling matters: metre vs meter. The plural of metre is metres. In poetry, metre is about pattern, not meaning. Ask if your listener will think of length or rhythm by context.
Common Misconceptions
- Metre and meter are the same word; spelling just shows British vs American usage.
- Metre only ever means a poetry rhythm, not a length unit.
- A metre is a device used to measure electricity or gas meters.
- All metres in poetry have the same pattern across poems.
- You cannot use metres in everyday talk about height or distance.
Thinking Differences
Metre in English gives two clear ideas to learners: a length unit and a poetic rhythm. Learners often mix the two, or assume poetry requires a fixed pattern for every poem. Emphasize context to distinguish measurement talk from literary discussion.
Learning Tips
- Practice measuring with metres in real objects
- Read poetry excerpts to identify the metre pattern
- Note when metre feels fixed vs flexible in a line
- memorize common spellings metre vs meter
- Use a glossary for poetry terms like iambic and trochaic
- Ask a native speaker to confirm context
Related Listening
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