versifier

A versifier is a person who composes verse; in English, it is essentially a poet, especially one who writes traditional metered and rhymed lines. The term is usually neutral but can carry a pejorative sense when used to imply a lack of originality or depth, akin to "poetaster." It covers a range from serious, craft-focused poets to light or conventional writers of verse.

Etymology: From French versifier (to compose verse), from verse, from Latin versus. The verb versify means to turn text into verse; a versifier is someone who versifies.

Historical context: In earlier periods, "versifier" was commonly used in criticism and biographical writing. It often distinguished writers who specialized in structured verse from those who wrote in prose or free verse. In some eras (such as 17th-18th centuries English criticism), poets were described as versifiers of particular forms (epic, lyric, pastoral). The term could denote technical proficiency in meter and rhyme rather than overall poetic achievement.

Modern usage: Today, the term is uncommon outside literary studies, and most writers simply call themselves poets. In contemporary criticism, "versifier" may appear in discussions of form-focused poets or in analysis of historical writing practices.