Rhyming Tools
A rhyming dictionary is important if you’re a songwriter. It’s a great tool to find new ways of saying things and get you away from predictable rhymes like: when it snows, I have to blow my nose.
Here’s a little assistance to finding a good one.
Online Tools For Rhyming
- Cool tool that counts your syllables and looks for rhymes!
- Click on the “perfect rhyme” or “near rhyme” button on the right
- Mobile version toggles between the two screens
- If only you could save your lyrics to Evernote!
Rhymer by WriteExpress
- Six types of rhymes: end, last, beginning, double, triple, first syllable
- Clean display & easy to change rhyme types
- Good mobile presentation
- No rhyme family options, which is limiting
- Type and go
- Perfect and close rhymes only
- Good volume of words on the list
- Close rhymes only
- Not huge variety of words but solid
- Good mobile presentation
Books Still Rule For Rhyming!
My favorite rhyming dictionary is Clement Wood’s. It is organized well, is easy to use, has a nice sound and poetry explanation at the beginning, and has a great range of words and phrases.
If you’re going to purchase a rhyming dictionary, this one is it. Don’t waste your money on anything else.
I have 3 – one for my songwriting bag, one on my shelf at home, and one at work (just in case a song hits me when I’m not being distracted by spreadsheets).
![complete rhyming dictionary tools for rhyme](https://songchops.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wood-complete-rhyming.jpg)
The Complete Rhyming Dictionary
by Clement Wood
One of the best rhyming dictionaries you’ll come across.
Used by Jimmy Webb no less!
![craft and business of songwriting tools for rhyme](https://songchops.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/braheny-craft-and-business-of-songwriting.jpg)
The Craft & Business of Songwriting
by John Braheny
Covers the basics from defining a verse to gigging, but also spends some quality time on rhyme. All kinds of information in this for the bargain price of the paperback.
![rikky rooksby lyrics writing better words for your songs](https://songchops.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/rooksby-lyrics-writing-better-words-rhyming.jpg)
Lyrics: Writing Better Words For Your Songs
by Rikky Rooksby
Covers prosody and lyrics in general, but spends time on rhyme patterns and contrast as well.
![berklee lyric form and structure tools for rhyme](https://songchops.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/pattison-berklee-songwriting-lyric-form-structure.jpg)
Essential Guide to Lyric Form and Structure: Tools and Techniques for Writing Better Lyrics
by Pat Pattison
Structure and rhyme families go hand in hand. This is a fantastic book to help understand not only how your lyric forms and structure can be shaped, but also applying rhyme to help them evolve to the next level.