# rhythm

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɹɪð.m̩/ · frequency rank #6,614

## Definitions
1. The variation of strong and weak elements (such as duration, accent) of sounds, notably in speech or music, over time; a beat or meter.
2. A specifically defined pattern of such variation.
3. A flow, repetition or regularity.
4. The tempo or speed of a beat, song or repetitive event.
5. The musical instruments which provide rhythm (mainly; not or less melody) in a musical ensemble.
6. A regular quantitative change in a variable (notably natural) process.
7. Controlled repetition of a phrase, incident or other element as a stylistic figure in literature and other narrative arts; the effect it creates.
8. A person's natural feeling for rhythm.

## Etymology
First coined in 1557, from Latin rhythmus, from Ancient Greek ῥυθμός (rhuthmós, “any measured flow or movement, symmetry, rhythm”), from ῥέω (rhéō, “to flow, run, stream, gush”).

## Easily confused with
- **rhythms** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rhythm-vs-rhythms)
- **rhythmic** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rhythm-vs-rhythmic)

## Common misspellings (11)
`hrythm`, `rhhythm`, `rhtyhm`, `rhyhtm`, `rhythhm`, `rhythmm`, `rhytmh`, `rhytthm`, `rhyythm`, `rrhythm`, `ryhthm`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/rhythm