senryu

noun

sen·​ryu ˈsen-rē-(ˌ)ü How to pronounce senryu (audio)
plural senryu
: a 3-line unrhymed Japanese poem structurally similar to haiku but treating human nature usually in an ironic or satiric vein

Examples of senryu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The construction is the same -- three lines, 17 syllables, with five syllables in the first line, seven syllables in the second line and five syllables on the third line -- but the tone and subject matter of a senryu is different. Mary Colurso | McOlurso@al.com, al, 19 Nov. 2020 The event is open to anyone interested in learning about the modern haiku, senryu and haibun types of poetry, focusing on contemporary free verse forms, not the familiar five-seven-five-syllable structure. Carole Goldberg, courant.com, 7 Aug. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Japanese

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of senryu was in 1938

Dictionary Entries Near senryu

Cite this Entry

“Senryu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/senryu. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on senryu

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!