rhyme or reason

noun

: good sense or reason

Examples of rhyme or reason in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Judging by modern sensibilities and available research methods, there appears to be little rhyme or reason as to how these pillars are arranged. — Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Oct. 2026 When something catches like that, there’s no rhyme or reason. — Kate Aurthur, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026 The ban came without rhyme or reason, aside from Trump expressing consternation over coverage and threatening further bans against other networks. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026 The company has long emailed out random codes to Google users, but there's little rhyme or reason to who gets them and how big the discount is. — Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rhyme or reason

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rhyme or reason was in the 15th century

Rhymes for rhyme or reason

See All Rhymes for rhyme or reason

Browse Nearby Words

rhymeless
rhyme or reason
rhymer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rhyme or reason.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhyme%20or%20reason. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of Luddite

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All