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Onomatopoeia: meaning, example and synonyms

Onomatopoeian. The use of a word that imitates the sound it names, such as buzz or sizzle.

Flashcard for Onomatopoeia (noun): the use of a word that imitates the sound it names, such as buzz or sizzle. Example: The poet relies heavily on onomatopoeia, letting words like hiss and crackle reproduce the sound of the fire rather than merely describe it. Synonyms: echoism, sound symbolism, imitative wording. Antonyms: arbitrary naming, abstract wording. Memory tip: Greek onoma (name) + poiein (make): making a name out of a sound. Illustration: a child in a sweater sitting by a small crackling campfire at dusk, listening closely to a bee buzzing over nearby flowers, a hand cupped to one ear; people drawn naturally and fully clothed, no logos, signs, flags, written words or sound effects.

Example

The poet relies heavily on onomatopoeia, letting words like hiss and crackle reproduce the sound of the fire rather than merely describe it.

Part of speech
noun
Synonyms
echoism, sound symbolism, imitative wording
Antonyms
arbitrary naming, abstract wording
Memory tip
Greek onoma (name) + poiein (make): making a name out of a sound.

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Check yourself: Onomatopoeia in context

Pick the word that best completes each text.

Question 1

The children's poem depends on ______, with words such as splash, thud, and whoosh imitating the very noises they name.

Question 2

Linguists note that ______ varies across languages: the bark that English speakers render as woof is written quite differently elsewhere, though each version mimics the same sound.

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