Ever sat there staring at a blank page, trying to figure out how to finish a line that ends with "hearts"? It’s a classic struggle. We’ve all been there. You want something that sounds natural, not forced, but your brain keeps circling back to the same three options. Honestly, rhyming with this specific word is a bit of a double-edged sword because while there are plenty of choices, many of them feel incredibly cheesy if you aren’t careful.
Most people immediately jump to "starts" or "parts." Those are the easy ones. But if you're writing a song or a poem that actually means something, you probably want to dig a little deeper than the basics.
The Mechanics of Words That Rhyme With Hearts
When we look at words that rhyme with hearts, we’re essentially looking for the "arts" sound. Phonetically, it’s an open vowel followed by a crisp "ts" ending. It’s a punchy sound. It’s satisfying. Because "hearts" is such an emotional, heavy-hitting word, the rhymes you choose will dictate the entire mood of your piece.
Think about the difference between "depart" and "kart." One sounds like a tragic goodbye at a rainy train station, and the other sounds like a weekend at a dusty race track. Context is everything.
Common Single-Syllable Rhymes
Let's look at the heavy hitters first. These are the building blocks.
- Parts: This is arguably the most common rhyme. It's functional. "Two hearts, two parts." It works, but it's a bit tired.
- Starts: Great for themes of new beginnings or sudden realizations.
- Arts: This can refer to the literal fine arts or the "arts" of deception. It adds a bit of sophistication.
- Charts: Think about navigation or music rankings. It’s clinical, which creates a cool contrast against the emotional weight of "hearts."
- Darts: This implies speed, pain, or directness. "Love’s darts" is a trope as old as Cupid himself.
- Smarts: Using this word shifts the tone from emotional to intellectual. It’s a bit more modern and casual.
Multisyllabic and Complex Rhymes
If you want to sound like you actually know what you're doing, you have to move past the one-syllable stuff. This is where things get interesting. According to linguistic experts like those at the Oxford English Dictionary, English has a massive vocabulary derived from both Germanic and Latin roots, giving us a wide range of "art" suffixes.
Consider words like departs or imparts. These feel weightier. They carry more syllables, which allows you to play with the meter of your verse. Then you have counterparts. That’s a five-syllable mouthful that can really ground a stanza if you place it correctly.
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Then there are "near rhymes" or "slant rhymes." Poets like Emily Dickinson were masters of this. If you’re willing to bend the rules slightly, words like carts or harps (if you’re feeling bold) can work. But strictly speaking, we’re looking for that perfect "arts" match here.
Why Some Rhymes Feel "Cheap"
There’s a reason some songs get stuck in your head for the wrong reasons. Using words that rhyme with hearts can quickly descend into "moon/june" territory. That’s the industry term for rhymes that are so predictable they make the listener roll their eyes.
If you rhyme "hearts" with "starts" for the fourth time in a single song, you’ve lost the plot. You’ve got to surprise the reader.
Take a look at the work of someone like Stephen Sondheim. He was famous for avoiding the easy way out. In his lyrics, he would often use internal rhymes or complex multisyllabic matches to keep the audience on their toes. He understood that a rhyme isn't just a sound; it’s a delivery mechanism for a thought.
Creative Ways to Use These Rhymes in Writing
So, how do you actually apply this? Don't just pick a word from a list. Think about the "vibe" (yeah, I said it).
If you are writing something gritty, maybe use shards. Okay, that’s a slant rhyme, but the "d" sound is close enough to "t" that it creates a jagged, uncomfortable feeling. If you want something elegant, go with imparts. It sounds like a secret being shared.
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- Vary the placement. Don't always put the rhyme at the end of the line. Try internal rhyming. "My heart starts to beat in parts" sounds way more rhythmic than a standard AABB structure.
- Use verbs, not just nouns. "He departs" is often more active and interesting than "the many parts."
- Watch your meter. The number of syllables matters. "Hearts" is a stressed syllable. Your rhyme should ideally be stressed too.
Breaking Down the List by Usage
Sometimes you just need a quick reference. Here is a breakdown of words that rhyme with hearts based on the "flavor" they bring to a sentence.
The "Action" Group:
Departs, restarts, outsmarts, dismarts (not a real word, don't use that), thwarts. "Thwarts" is actually a great one. It’s harsh. It sounds like a door slamming shut.
The "Technical" Group:
Flowcharts, piecharts, ramparts, stalwarts. Using "stalwarts" in a poem about love is a pro move. It implies strength and longevity. It’s much better than just saying someone is "tough."
The "Physical" Group:
Go-karts, pushcarts, upstarts. These are more grounded. They bring the imagery down to earth, which is great if your writing is getting too flowery or abstract.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Kinda sounds obvious, but don't force it. If a rhyme doesn't fit the sentence, discard it. I've seen so many writers ruin a perfectly good metaphor because they were desperate to find a word that rhymed with "hearts."
If you find yourself writing about a "shopping cart" in a song about a breakup, ask yourself: Does this actually belong here? Or am I just lazy?
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Also, watch out for "eye rhymes." These are words that look like they should rhyme because of their spelling but don't. Think "hearts" and "beards." They both have "ear" in them, but they sound nothing alike. Don't fall into that trap. Stick to the phonetics.
Learning from the Greats
If you listen to classic Motown or even modern pop, you’ll hear these rhymes everywhere. The trick is how they hide them. In "Stop! In the Name of Love," the rhymes are tight and rhythmic. In more contemporary indie music, you’ll see artists like Phoebe Bridgers use slant rhymes to create a sense of unease.
There's no shame in using a rhyming dictionary. Even the best songwriters do it. The difference is that the pros use the dictionary to find the word they didn't think of, rather than just picking the first thing they see.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Project
You’ve got the list. You’ve got the theory. Now you need to actually write.
- Audit your current work. Go through your latest poem or song. Find every instance of "heart" or "hearts."
- Swap the "easy" rhymes. If you see "starts" or "parts," try replacing them with "imparts," "shards" (for a slant), or "ramparts." See how it changes the meaning.
- Practice with "near rhymes." Words ending in "-ars" or "-arts" can often be interchanged in modern songwriting. "Stars" and "hearts" is a classic for a reason. It’s not a perfect rhyme, but it’s emotionally resonant.
- Focus on the "T" sound. Sometimes it's the consonant at the end that matters most. Words like "flirts" or "hurts" can create a cohesive soundscape even if the vowels don't match perfectly.
Writing is a craft. It’s about making choices. When you choose words that rhyme with hearts, you aren't just filling a slot in a puzzle. You are choosing the color and texture of the emotion you’re trying to convey. Don't settle for the first word that comes to mind. Dig around. Find the word that actually says what you mean.
Take a look at your stanza right now. If it feels a bit thin, try adding a multisyllabic rhyme like "counterparts" and see if that adds the weight you’re looking for. It usually does.