View synonyms for onomatopoeia

onomatopoeia

[ on-uh-mat-uh-pee-uh, ‑-mah-tuh‑ ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the formation of a word, as cuckoo, meow, honk, or boom, by imitation of a sound made by or associated with its referent.
a word so formed.
the use of imitative and naturally suggestive words for rhetorical, dramatic, or poetic effect.

onomatopoeia

/ ˌɒnəˌmætəpəʊˈɛtɪk; ˌɒnəˌmætəˈpiːə /

noun

the formation of words whose sound is imitative of the sound of the noise or action designated, such as hiss, buzz, and bang
the use of such words for poetic or rhetorical effect

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Derived Forms

ˌonoˌmatoˈpoeically, adverb
ˌonoˌmatoˈpoeic, adjective

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Other Words From

ono·mato·poeic on·o·mat·o·po·et·ic [on-, uh, -mat-, uh, -poh-, et, -ik], adjective
ono·mato·poei·cal·ly ono·mato·po·eti·cal·ly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of onomatopoeia¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Late Latin, from Greek onomatopoiía “making of words,” from onomato- (stem of ónoma “name”) + poi- (stem of poieîn “to make”) + -ia -ia; -onym, poet

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Word History and Origins

Origin of onomatopoeia¹

C16: via Late Latin from Greek onoma name + poiein to make

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Example Sentences

I may venture to say it is too expressive, too full of onomatopœia.

From Project Gutenberg

Pauthier translates the verses somewhat differently; preserving the onomatopœia in three of the lines.

From Project Gutenberg

His device was the obvious one which is called, by rhetoricians, onomatopœia.

From Project Gutenberg

Find examples of alliteration, of onomatopœia, of all the figures of speech that you can find here.

From Project Gutenberg

More names of animals, learned from adults; no onomatopœia .

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