Two-syllable rhyme, also known as feminine rhyme, occurs when the final two syllables of two or more words rhyme in both sound and stress pattern—typically with the penultimate syllable stressed and the final syllable unstressed (e.g., “motion”/“ocean” or “tenderly”/“slenderly”)—and it imparts a softer, more lilting cadence than single-syllable (masculine) rhyme; common in French verse and English comic or lyrical poetry, two-syllable rhyme can convey playfulness, melancholy, or fluidity, and its extended resonance often suits themes of continuity, hesitation, or emotional nuance that resist abrupt closure.

Two-syllable rhyme (masculine rhyme) ends on a single stressed syllable. Contrast with feminine (two-syllable) rhyme. Most common in English—check if consistent use creates predictability or if variations signal shifts.