Doggerel

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈdÉ’É¡É™rÉ™l/

Alternative forms

• doggrel

Full definition of doggerel

Adjective

1. (poetry) Of a crude or irregular construction. (Originally applied to humorous verse, but now to verse lacking artistry or meaning.)
• 1678, John_Dryden, "Prologue to Limberham," lines 1-4,True wit has seen its best days long ago;It ne'er look'd up, since we were dipp'd in show:When sense in doggerel rhymes and clouds was lost,And dulness flourish'd at the actors' cost.
2. (poetry) a comic or humorous verse, usually irregular in measure

Noun

1. A doggerel poem or verse.
• 1895, Stephen_Crane,The Red Badge of Courage, ch. 8,As he marched he sang a bit of doggerel in a high and quavering voice:
• "Sing a song 'a vic'try,A pocketful 'a bullets,Five an' twenty dead menBaked in a—pie."