Onomatopoeia
noun
The process of creating words that imitate, resemble or suggest the sound that they describe.
Words like 'buzz', 'crash', and 'sizzle' are examples of onomatopoeia.

Often appears as...
- 'onomatopoeic words'
- 'use of onomatopoeia'
Usage tips
Literary, Poetic
noun
The process of creating words that imitate, resemble or suggest the sound that they describe.
Words like 'buzz', 'crash', and 'sizzle' are examples of onomatopoeia.

Often appears as...
- 'onomatopoeic words'
- 'use of onomatopoeia'
Usage tips
Literary, Poetic
Definition 1 of 1

Sound Words
Onomatopoeia often involves words that sound like the noise they describe, making sentences more vivid.

The bees buzzed, and the brook babbled.
Creative Writing
Use onomatopoeia to add emphasis and engage readers in poetry or storytelling by echoing actual sounds.

The balloon popped with a loud 'bang' that startled everyone.
Not Literal
Some onomatopoeic words are used metaphorically; they don't always mimic real sounds but suggest a feeling or action.

My heart thumped with excitement.
Sound Words
Onomatopoeia often involves words that sound like the noise they describe, making sentences more vivid.

The bees buzzed, and the brook babbled.
Creative Writing
Use onomatopoeia to add emphasis and engage readers in poetry or storytelling by echoing actual sounds.

The balloon popped with a loud 'bang' that startled everyone.
Not Literal
Some onomatopoeic words are used metaphorically; they don't always mimic real sounds but suggest a feeling or action.

My heart thumped with excitement.
Sound Words
Onomatopoeia often involves words that sound like the noise they describe, making sentences more vivid.

The bees buzzed, and the brook babbled.
Creative Writing
Use onomatopoeia to add emphasis and engage readers in poetry or storytelling by echoing actual sounds.

The balloon popped with a loud 'bang' that startled everyone.
Not Literal
Some onomatopoeic words are used metaphorically; they don't always mimic real sounds but suggest a feeling or action.

My heart thumped with excitement.
Video examples
Why should you read...
15 is a play, 13 is like a cheesy romance novel, 12 is a story with bizarre, exaggerated interruptions, 11 uses techniques, like onomatopoeia, repetitions, and alliteration to imitate music,
Video examples
Why should you read...
15 is a play, 13 is like a cheesy romance novel, 12 is a story with bizarre, exaggerated interruptions, 11 uses techniques, like onomatopoeia, repetitions, and alliteration to imitate music,
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Neil Morrissey
English Actor
We get the papers: I prefer broadsheets because I had the fear of God put into me by the tabloids and, though I'm very much over it, I still don't really like to read them. It's a destructive vernacular that makes me angry and scared, and it is all sensationalist onomatopoeia and alliteration.

Quote examples
Neil Morrissey
English Actor
We get the papers: I prefer broadsheets because I had the fear of God put into me by the tabloids and, though I'm very much over it, I still don't really like to read them. It's a destructive vernacular that makes me angry and scared, and it is all sensationalist onomatopoeia and alliteration.

Example 1 of 1
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