Rhyme is one of the most basic elements of poetry and songwriting. Even in the age of free verse, a good rhyme can make a line stick in your head. So, what rhymes with “soul”? We’re going to explore a few perfect and near rhymes, and how you can use them.
Perfect Rhymes for “Soul”
Perfect rhymes happen when words share identical sounds from the last stressed vowel to the end. In other words, they sound exactly alike.
Here are some perfect one-syllable rhymes for “soul”:
- bowl
- coal
- droll
- hole
- knoll
- mole
- poll
- roll
- scroll
- shoal
- stroll
- toll
- whole
Perfect rhymes are nice because they create a sense of closure and predictability in poems and songs. They’re satisfying to hear!
Near rhymes (imperfect rhymes) for “soul”
Sometimes, you want a rhyme that’s not quite so on-the-nose. That’s where near rhymes come in. Near rhymes, also called imperfect rhymes or slant rhymes, share some sounds but not all. They can add a subtle, nuanced effect to your writing.
Near rhymes can also be useful when you can’t find a perfect rhyme, or when you’re looking for something a little unexpected.
Here are a few near rhymes for “soul”:
One-syllable near rhymes for “soul”
- cowl
- foul
- growl
- howl
- prowl
- scowl
- vowel
Two-syllable near rhymes for “soul”
- arousal
- carousal
Beyond Perfect and Near Rhymes: Other Types of Rhyme
When you’re writing, there are a lot of ways to rhyme besides perfect rhymes like “bowl” and “soul.” Here are a few:
- End Rhymes: Words that rhyme at the end of lines.
- Internal Rhymes: Words that rhyme inside a single line.
- Eye Rhymes: Words that look like they should rhyme but don’t, like “cough” and “dough.”
- Masculine Rhymes: Rhymes on the final, stressed syllable of a word.
- Feminine Rhymes: Multi-syllable rhymes where the last syllable isn’t stressed.
Knowing these different kinds of rhymes gives you many more options when you’re writing songs or poems.
Key Takeaways
We’ve explored different kinds of rhymes—perfect rhymes, near rhymes, and more—that can work with the word “soul.” Rhyming is a valuable tool for creative writing, poetry, and even memorization.
Now you know how to rhyme “soul.” Go forth and use your newfound knowledge to create something beautiful!