onomatopoeia Definition
- 1the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named (e.g. cuckoo, sizzle)
- 2the use of onomatopoeia for rhetorical effect
Using onomatopoeia: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "onomatopoeia" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The word 'buzz' is an example of onomatopoeia.
Example
The use of onomatopoeia in the poem creates a vivid sensory experience for the reader.
Example
The sound of the clock ticking was an onomatopoeic representation of time passing.
onomatopoeia Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with onomatopoeia
words that imitate the sounds made by animals
Example
The words 'meow,' 'woof,' and 'oink' are examples of animal onomatopoeia.
words that imitate sounds found in nature or the environment
Example
The words 'drip,' 'splash,' and 'rustle' are examples of environmental onomatopoeia.
words that imitate the sounds made by machines or mechanical devices
Example
The words 'whir,' 'click,' and 'beep' are examples of mechanical onomatopoeia.
Origins of onomatopoeia
from Greek 'onoma' meaning 'name' and 'poiein' meaning 'to make'
Summary: onomatopoeia in Brief
Onomatopoeia [ˌɒnəˌmatəˈpiːə] refers to the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named, such as 'buzz' or 'sizzle.' It can also be used for rhetorical effect, creating vivid sensory experiences for the reader. Onomatopoeia can be categorized into animal, environmental, and mechanical types, exemplified by 'meow,' 'drip,' and 'whir,' respectively.
