Writing a limerick can be a difficult task; you’ve got just 34 syllables to express your idea, and ideally make it funny too. If you’re a keen poet or just an interested reader, we’ve got the guide to teach you everything you need to know about this 5-lined poem. Limericks are short, snappy, and easy to remember, which is why they’re still used in classrooms, comedy shows, and everyday conversation. Their catchy rhythm and quick wit make them one of the most fun poetic forms to learn.
What is a Limerick?
In the same way that a Haiku has a set structure, a limerick is a light-hearted poem that is usually around 5 lines long and follows an AABBA rhyming scheme. Edward Lear was known for using this form of poem back in the 1800s. What makes the limerick stand out is its playfulness; the rhythm almost demands a smile. Whether told in a pub, printed in a book, or shared online, its sing-song beat and surprise ending make it memorable for readers of all ages. Here’s an example of one he wrote:
There was an Old Person of Dean,
Who dined on one pea and one bean;
For he said, “More than that would make me too fat,”
That cautious Old Person of Dean.
Limericks are in accentual verse, which means that the construction of a line is determined by the number of accents, no matter how many syllables there are. Unlike a haiku, which counts syllables, a limerick relies on stressed beats, giving the writer flexibility to stretch or shorten words naturally. It’s this looseness that allows limericks to sound conversational and spontaneous while still following a rhythmic pattern. And because the syllables aren’t counted, limericks have a certain flexibility. In limericks, the accents tend to work like this:
Because of this flexibility, there are different ways to write poetry, like limericks; the first line might look something like this: There was once an old man from London. Or it might go like this: There was an old man from London. The third line could go like so: He rode on a whale, or it might work like this: And he rode on a whale. It doesn’t matter which version you use; the result is a pattern of strong, weak, weak.
accented beats.
Limericks as Edward Lear used in the 1800s are slightly different from what we know today. Lear often used the fifth line of the limerick as more of a paraphrase of line 1 or 2. He also often used the same word at the end of line 5 as he does at the end of line 1. Or, as is more common in modern limericks, Lear sometimes used the final line as a punchline. Lear’s playful take on nonsense verse made poetry feel accessible to everyone, not just scholars. His work bridged the gap between children’s rhyme and adult satire, proving that poetry could be both clever and comical.
Edward Lear’s Book of Nonsense (1846) turned limericks into a beloved form of humour and verse. His playful language, eccentric characters, and nonsense endings gave the limerick its timeless charm. Before Lear, the form existed in oral traditions, but his work made it popular across England and beyond.
The Rules of a Limerick
Unlike the much longer epic poetry, limericks have a set of rules that you need to follow. The rules for a limerick are simple:
lines.
Rhyming a Limerick
Just like a sonnet, Limericks have a rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme of a limerick is known as “AABBA.” This means that the final words in lines 1, 2, and 5 rhyme. Those are the “A’s” in the rhyme scheme. The “B’s” are the last words of lines 3 and 4. Let’s look at this example:
There was a young fellow named Hall
Who fell in the spring in the fall.
‘Twould have been a sad thing
Had he died in the spring,
But he didn’t—he died in the fall.
— Anonymous
You’ll see that the words “Hall,” “fall,” and “fall” all rhyme. These are the “A” words in the “AABBA” scheme. And the ‘B’ words “thing” and “spring” rhyme.
Understanding Limerick Rhythm
We mentioned earlier that Limericks follow the pattern strong-weak-weak. This is known as “anapaestic”—sounds more complicated than it is, believe us! It’s simple, really. Just like the musical ballad poems, limericks have “beats” in them. Usually, the first two lines and the last line have three “beats” in them, while the third and fourth lines have two “beats.” It goes something like this:
da DUM da da DUM da da DUM
da DUM da da DUM da da DUM
da DUM da da DUM
da DUM da da DUM
da DUM da da DUM da da DUM
Limericks don’t always strictly follow this rhythm rule, but it is usually pretty close to this; that’s why limericks have that jaunty, light-hearted feel when you read them. The pattern works like a melody. The repeated rhythm builds momentum and keeps the reader engaged. That’s why limericks are often taught aloud to children; the rhythm helps them remember language patterns while laughing at the story being told. Let’s take a look at this famous limerick:
There was an old man of Nantucket
Who kept all his cash in a bucket;
But his daughter, named Nan,
Ran away with a man,
And as for the bucket, Nantucket.
— Anonymous
If we follow the rhythm rules and emphasise the beats when we read it, it comes out like this:
there WAS an old MAN of NanTUCKet
who KEPT all his CASH in a BUCKet;
but his DAUGHTer, named NAN,
ran aWAY with a MAN,
and AS for the BUCKet, NanTUCKet.
See? It’s simple!
Limericks follow an “anapaestic” rhythm (da DUM da da DUM da da DUM). Don’t stress about counting syllables; focus on the musical bounce of the poem. Reading your lines aloud helps you spot where the rhythm feels off or where you can add a funny twist.
Famous Limerick Examples
Over time, countless poets and comedians have used limericks to make people laugh or think. From anonymous folk rhymes to witty modern parodies, this short form has captured imaginations for centuries. Here are some examples of limericks that might sound familiar…
There once was a man from Peru
Who had a lot of growing up to do,
He’d ring a doorbell,
then run like hell,
Until the owner shot him with a .22.
- Anonymous
There once was a young lady named bright
Whose speed was much faster than light
She set out one day
In a relative way
And returned on the previous night.
The authors of these two remained anonymous but maybe you’ll recognise these ones by Edward Lear:
There was a Young Lady whose chin
Resembled the point of a pin:
So she had it made sharp,
And purchased a harp,
And played several tunes with her chin.
There was a young lady of Lucca
Whose lovers completely forsook her;
She ran up a tree
And said "Fiddle-de-dee!"
Which embarrassed the people of Lucca.
Or this more modern one:
Few thought he was even a starter;
There were many who thought themselves smarter,
But he ended a PM
CH and OM
An earl and a Knight of the Garter.
Notice that when you read them, they all have similar sounds and rhythms. You’ll also notice that they all have that light-hearted, humorous feel to them that makes limericks so fun! The best limericks share the same energy, a small story packed with rhythm, rhyme, and surprise. From nonsense to satire, this format has survived for centuries because it invites readers to smile, no matter the subject. Here are different poetry lessons for you.
Tips for Writing Your Own Limerick
Now you’ve read about the rules and rhyming scheme of a limerick, why not try writing one for yourself? Here are our tips for writing your own. Don’t worry if it takes a few tries since the best limericks often start as quick notes or rough drafts. Many writers use rhyme dictionaries, poetry apps, or even song lyrics for inspiration. With a bit of practice, you’ll find your rhythm and sense of humour improving line by line.
Some Tricks
There are two more things that you’ll notice when you read limericks
- The first line tends to finish on a person’s first name or the name of a place.
- The last line is usually funny.
Seeing as the first line is usually the name of a person or place, writing the first line should be easy for you! To start with, pick the name of a place or person – like “New York” or “Dave” – and write your first line:
There once was a man from New York
Or
There was an old woman named Dave.
Then you can start looking for words that rhyme with “York” and “Dave” like “cork,” “fork,” “pork,” “stork,” or “cave,” “gave,” “wave,” until you find enough words to finish off your limerick. Once you’ve got your rhyming words, you can start thinking of a funny ending for your limerick. Of course, you might need to change your rhyming words to fit in with your funny ending. That’s fine, just play around with it until you find the best combination. If you find this too restrictive, consider trying free verse poetry.
Pick a person or place (like “Dublin” or “Grace”) and brainstorm rhymes before writing. Create lines 1, 2, and 5 to rhyme, then lines 3 and 4 to match each other. Read it aloud, and if it makes you smile, you’ve got the start of a great limerick!
Try Writing a Limerick Yourself!
Now it’s your turn. See if you can follow our guide and write your own!
Remember to follow these steps:
- Choose the name of a person or place and write the first line.
- Look in a rhyming dictionary for words that rhyme with your person or place name.
- Write lines 2 and 5 to rhyme with the first line.
- Now write lines 3 and 4 with a different rhyme.
When you are done writing, read your limerick out loud to make sure it sounds right and has the right rhythm. Trying to get the rhythm, the rhymes, and the humour in 5 short lines is not easy, so keep practising, you’ll be writing funny limericks in no time! Limericks remind us that poetry doesn’t have to be serious to be meaningful. Whether you write for laughter, rhythm, or creative exercise, each five-line verse celebrates the joy of language and play. If you need help, though, you can always look for a private poetry tutor on Superprof. With many offering the first session for free, you can try a few before choosing the right tutor for you.
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