onomatopoeia
Say it: on-uh-mat-uh-PEE-uh /ˌɒnəmætəˈpiːə/ · noun
What “onomatopoeia” means
A word that sounds like the noise it describes.
More precisely: A word that imitates the sound it describes, like buzz, sizzle or whoosh.
Example: “Comic books are full of onomatopoeia: pow, bang, splat.”
When to use it
When discussing sound words in stories, poems or everyday speech, especially ones that make an action feel vivid.
Similar words
sound word, echoism, imitative word
Where it comes from
Greek onoma 'name' and poiein 'to make'.
Quick check
A writer describes rain going pitter-patter against the window, choosing words that imitate its sound. What is this?
onomatopoeia or alliteration?
Show the answer
onomatopoeia
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