versify

/ˈvɜːsɪfaɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈvɜːrsɪfaɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈvər-sə-ˌfī How to pronounce versify (audio)/ (ame, mw)

versify — verb

  • versifypresent simple I / you / we / they
  • versifieshe / she / it
  • versifiedpast simple
  • versifying-ing form

1. to write a story, description, or other text as a poem with lines that follow a

1.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to write a story, description, or other text as a poem with lines that follow a regular rhythmic pattern, or simply to write poetry

例句

Baraka versified an old folk tale from his grandmother's village for a school project.

transitive use: versify + direct object (folk tale)

Evelyn spends Sunday evenings versifying by the window as rain falls on the garden.

intransitive use: versify (no object)

同義詞
  • write poetry

    more common and less formal; covers the simple act of composing poems

  • compose verse

    almost synonymous but suggests a more deliberate, structured approach

  • put into verse

    specifically transitive — turning prose material into poetic form

  • poetize

    much rarer and more literary; can sound dated or affected

反義詞
  • prosify

    the opposite — to write or turn something into prose; very rare

文法句型

versify + object (story, legend, diary entry, etc.)

versify (no object)

用法筆記

Frequently used in literary or historical discussion rather than everyday conversation. The transitive form (versify + object) is somewhat less common than the intransitive and usually describes turning a prose source into verse.

常見錯誤

❌The poet versified a poem about the war.
✅The poet versified a folk tale about the war.
💡'Versify' means to turn something into verse, not to compose a poem from nothing. A poem is already verse, so 'versify a poem' is redundant.