Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within closely placed words in a sentence or a line of poetry. It is used to add a lyrical, harmonious quality to writing and can emphasize particular emotions or themes. Examples Poetry: "The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain." (The repetition of the "ai" sound creates assonance.)

The repetition of vowel sounds without repeating consonants; sometimes called vowel rhyme. See Amy Lowell’s “In a Garden” (“With its leaping, and deep, cool murmur”) or “The Taxi” (“And shout into the ridges of the wind ”). Browse poems with assonance.