1. A short, humorous biographical poem of four lines, typically with an irregular rhyme scheme and meter, often about a famous person.
Usage: plural of clerihew; literary form; named after Edmund Clerihew Bentley, who invented the form

Examples

• The poet wrote several clerihews about historical figures for the anthology.
• Clerihews are known for their witty, irreverent tone and playful disregard for strict poetic rules.
• She enjoyed reading clerihews because they combined humor with biographical information.
• The collection included clerihews about everyone from Napoleon to Queen Victoria.
• Writing clerihews became a popular exercise in creative writing classes.