Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
unrhythmic

unrhythmic

7.9
Having no regular beat so movement or sound feels uneven
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈrɪðmɪk/
translation icon : irregular
  • The poem felt disjointed because of its unrhythmic meter.

Examples

  • The music sounded unrhythmic at times.

  • He has an unrhythmic way of speaking.

  • His steps were so unrhythmic that he tripped over his own feet.

  • The dancer’s movements were unrhythmic and difficult to follow.

  • The music was so unrhythmic that the dancers couldn't keep up with the beat.

  • Her unrhythmic clapping made it difficult for the audience to join in.

  • The drummer's unrhythmic style surprised everyone at the concert.

Synonyms

irregular
vsunrhythmic
27 3.5

Happening at no fixed times

refers specifically to uneven beat or accent rather than general irregularity
arrhythmic
vsunrhythmic
2 8.2

Not having a regular beat or pattern

focuses generally on irregular beat or accent in any context
unrhythmical
vsunrhythmic
7.4

Having no steady beat or regular pattern

is the modern form without the al ending
arrhythmical
vsunrhythmic
9.3

A sound or movement that has no regular beat

emphasizes irregular beat or accent rather than an intended disregard
nonrhythmic
vsunrhythmic
7.4

A sound that has no regular beat

can be irregular without being deliberately rhythmless

Antonyms

rhythmic
42 3.6

Having a regular pattern of sounds or movements

How Rhythmic

rhythmic
42 3.6
steady
304 2.0
irregular
27 3.5
unrhythmic
7.9
arrhythmic
2 8.2

Surface Forms

unrhythmic positive

Morphology

unrhythmic = rhythmic (transparent) = un + rhythm + ic

A direct negation of the adjective 'rhythmic' by the productive prefix 'un-', so learners who know 'rhythmic' will readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Unrhythmic combines the prefix un- meaning 'not' with rhythm (from Greek rhythmos) meaning 'beat' or 'regular pattern'. So unrhythmic means 'not having a steady beat', which is why we use it for uneven steps, music, or movement.