Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

iamb

Noun

/ˈaɪ.æm/

Definition

A metrical foot used in poetry, consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.

Examples

In the line ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?’ the first foot is an iamb.
The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which means it contains five iambs per line.

Meaning

The term ‘iamb’ refers to a specific type of rhythm that is characterized by the alternation of soft and hard beats, creating a natural flow in poetry.