nonmetrical

1 7.8

Not having a regular beat or rhythm in poetry and music

adjective
/nɒnˈmɛtrɪkəl/

: no métrico

The artist's nonmetrical approach to composition resulted in a piece that flowed freely and unpredictably.

Examples

Nonmetrical music often allows for greater emotional expression without the constraints of a regular rhythm.
Nevertheless, there is a critical consensus that Pizarnik's poetry (both in traditional verse form and in the form of nonmetrical prose microtexts) is of indisputable importance.

Academic text (1994)
Many contemporary poets experiment with nonmetrical forms to challenge traditional structures and explore new ideas.

Synonyms

irregular

vsnonmetrical

42 3.5

Happening at no fixed times

is about lacking poetic or musical meter rather than general timing irregularity

noncyclical

vsnonmetrical

1 7.2

Not happening in regular cycles

is specifically about meter and rhythm rather than about repeating cycles

unmeasured

vsnonmetrical

Literature

1 7.8

Words in poetry or prose that do not follow a regular rhythm

is focused on missing metrical pattern itself rather than syllable measurement

nonperiodic

vsnonmetrical

1 7.6

Happening at irregular times

is about absence of rhythmic meter rather than merely nonrecurrence over time

nonrhythmic

vsnonmetrical

1 7.4

A sound that has no regular beat

is the neutral lack of meter rather than an intentional absence of rhythm

unmetrical

vsnonmetrical

Literature

8.2

Not having a regular rhythm in speech, music, and poetry

is the same meaning but expressed with an alternative negative form in writing

unmetered

vsnonmetrical

Literature

6.3

Not written with a regular beat like free verse

is broader, applying to lack of meter beyond only written forms

unfooted

vsnonmetrical

Literature

9.1

A line of poetry that does not have a regular rhythm of beats

is about absence of regular meter generally rather than only feet arrangement

arrhythmical

vsnonmetrical

9.3

A sound or movement that has no regular beat

is absence of regular meter without implying unpredictable or erratic timing

Antonyms

metrical

Literature

1 6.7

Having a regular rhythm of syllables in poetry or music

How Metrical

metrical

Literature

1 6.7

regular

∞ 1.0

nonmetrical

1 7.8

Surface Forms

nonmetrical positive

Morphology

nonmetrical = metrical (transparent) = non + metrical

Formed by the productive prefix 'non-' plus the adjective 'metrical', so the meaning 'not metrical' is directly and predictably derived.

Etymology

The word nonmetrical comes from non- meaning 'not' and metrical from meter, which means 'measure' or 'regular rhythm'. So nonmetrical describes poetry or music that does not follow a steady, measured beat.