alliteration
Say it: uh-lit-uh-RAY-shun /əˌlɪtəˈreɪʃən/ · noun
What “alliteration” means
Nearby words that begin with the same sound.
More precisely: The repetition of the same sound at the start of nearby words.
Example: “Brands love alliteration: Coca-Cola, PayPal, Dunkin' Donuts.”
When to use it
When discussing catchy phrases, poetry or playful speech that repeats starting sounds to create rhythm or emphasis.
Similar words
consonance, head rhyme, repetition
Where it comes from
Medieval Latin, from ad- 'to' and littera 'letter'.
Quick check
A storyteller describes bold bears balancing baskets, repeating the same sound at each word's start. Which device is this?
assonance or alliteration?
Show the answer
alliteration
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