What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stanza
Example
The poem has four stanzas, each with six lines. [stanza: noun]
Example
The chorus is repeated after every stanza. [stanza: noun]
Example
The novel is divided into chapters, each containing several stanzas. [stanza: noun]
strophe
Example
The strophe consists of three lines with an ABA rhyme scheme. [strophe: noun]
Example
The choral ode alternates between strophes and antistrophes. [strophe: noun]
Example
The Greek tragedy features strophes and antistrophes sung by the chorus. [strophe: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stanza is more commonly used than strophe in everyday language, especially in the context of poetry and written works. Strophe is less common and is typically used in more specialized contexts such as choral odes and Greek tragedies.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stanza and strophe?
Both stanza and strophe are formal words that are typically used in academic or literary contexts.
