Meaning & use
Cheville
Last updated
A word or phrase inserted into a line of verse merely to complete the meter or rhyme, without adding meaning.
See it in a sentence
Critics noted that the poem's final line relied on a cheville to force the rhyme.
A skilled poet avoids chevilles, choosing words that serve both sound and sense.
A note on using this word
Borrowed from French, where 'cheville' literally means 'peg' or 'pin,' used metaphorically for a word that props up a verse.
Words with a similar meaning
fillerpadding
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Cheville”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.