Etymology Map
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Poem

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a piece of writing using rhythm and imagery, usually in lines

Where does the word "poem" come from? It comes from Greek poiēma, passing through Latin before entering English (1540s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
poiēma
Greek · ancient
"a thing made"
from 'poiein', to make; a poet was literally 'a maker'
2
Stage 2 of 3
poema
Latin · ancient
"poem"
narrowed to a composition in verse
3
Stage 3 of 3
poem
English · 1540s
"a composition in verse"
arrived via French 'poème'
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Read the full story

Poem’s story begins in Greek: poiēma meant “a thing made.” From 'poiein', to make; a poet was literally 'a maker'. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as poema. Narrowed to a composition in verse. It reached English by 1540s as poem. Arrived via French 'poème'. Today, poem means a piece of writing using rhythm and imagery, usually in lines.