What type of rhyme is characterized by being close but not exact or perfect?

The type of rhyme that is characterized by being close but not exact or perfect is known as partial rhyme. Partial rhyme, also referred to as near rhyme or slant rhyme, occurs when the sounds are similar but not identical. This can create a more nuanced or subtle effect in poetry, allowing for greater flexibility and creativity in word choice. It often involves the use of similar consonant sounds or vowel sounds that do not completely align, making it distinct from exact or full rhyme, where the sounds match perfectly.

The other options represent different types of sound relationships in poetry: exact rhyme matches the final sounds precisely, assonance focuses specifically on the similarity of vowel sounds within lines, and full rhyme is simply another term for exact rhyme, emphasizing that both the vowel and consonant sounds at the end of the words must match. Understanding the characteristics of partial rhyme can help in analyzing poetry that employs this technique for artistic expression.