assonance
Say it: AS-uh-nuns /ˈæsənəns/ · noun
What “assonance” means
The same vowel sound repeated in nearby words.
More precisely: The repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words, as in 'try to light the fire'.
Example: “The rapper's verse is packed with internal rhyme and assonance.”
When to use it
When discussing how repeated vowel sounds give poems, song lyrics or prose a particular rhythm or musical feel.
Similar words
vowel rhyme, half rhyme, echo
Where it comes from
Latin assonare, 'to respond to'.
Quick check
A poet places moon, blue and shoe close together to repeat their long vowel sound. Which device is this?
assonance or alliteration?
Show the answer
assonance
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