Slant rhyme refers to words that almost rhyme but differ in sound in one or more ways. The spelling for "slant rhyme" is /slænt raɪm/. The first syllable "sl" is pronounced with a voiceless alveolar lateral fricative /s/, followed by a short vowel sound /æ/. The second syllable "ant" ends with a voiceless alveolar nasal consonant /nt/. Finally, the word ends with the sound of a diphthong /aɪ/ and an unvoiced bilabial nasal consonant /m/. The term 'slant rhyme' is also known as off-rhyme or half-rhyme.
Slant rhyme, also known as near rhyme, half rhyme, imperfect rhyme, or oblique rhyme, refers to a type of rhyme in which the corresponding sounds of two or more words are close, but not identical. It is characterized by similar rather than identical sounds occurring in the final stressed syllables of the words, but with a difference in one or more of the following elements: vowel sound, consonant sound, or the number of syllables.
Unlike perfect rhyme, where the final stressed syllables of words share identical sounds, slant rhyme occurs when there is some degree of resemblance in the sounds, creating a subtle connection between the words being paired. In slant rhymes, there may be variations in the vowel sounds, such as a short "a" and a long "i" sound in "back" and "bike". Consonant sounds may also differ, like the "t" and "d" sounds in "latter" and "letter".
Slant rhyme adds a sense of complexity and ambiguity to the rhyme scheme, allowing poets to create new patterns and expand their options for word choice. It enhances the musicality and rhythm of a poem, creating a harmonic effect without requiring strict adherence to perfect rhyme. Poets frequently employ slant rhyme as a creative technique to evoke emotions, explore thoughts, and convey meaning through linguistic artistry, challenging traditional notions of poetry and stretching the boundaries of rhyme.
The word "slant rhyme" came into use in the late 19th century and is believed to have originated from the verb "slant", which means to slope or incline diagonally. In poetry, slant rhyme refers to a type of rhyme where the sounds of the ending consonants or vowels are not an exact match but have a slight resemblance or similarity. This deviation from a perfect rhyme is like a slant or diagonal connection—a partial match between words. The term "slant rhyme" emphasizes the subtle deviation from traditional rhyme schemes and carries the sense of a deviation from a straight or direct line.