onomatopoeia
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.
Origin of onomatopoeia
1Other words from onomatopoeia
- on·o·mat·o·poe·ic, on·o·mat·o·po·et·ic [on-uh-mat-uh-poh-et-ik], /ˌɒn əˌmæt ə poʊˈɛt ɪk/, adjective
- on·o·mat·o·poe·i·cal·ly, on·o·mat·o·po·et·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use onomatopoeia in a sentence
In the cultural languages they recur, if at all, only in the onomatopoetic word-formations of later origin.
Elements of Folk Psychology | Wilhelm WundtThen follows the march, expressed both in musical notes and onomatopoetic words.
Shakespeare and Music | Edward W. NaylorSo much sound makes us suspicious of the sense, but a little closer ear appreciates delicate and telling onomatopoetic effects.
Kentucky in American Letters, v. 2 of 2 | John Wilson Townsend“Literary impressionism,” which is largely the use of onomatopoetic words, is a valuable factor in the artistic short story.
Threads of Grey and Gold | Myrtle ReedAs we know, music is a language which may delineate actual occurrences by means of onomatopoetic sounds.
Critical & Historical Essays | Edward MacDowell
British Dictionary definitions for onomatopoeia
/ (ˌɒnəˌmætəˈpiːə) /
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
Origin of onomatopoeia
1Derived forms of onomatopoeia
- onomatopoeic or onomatopoetic (ˌɒnəˌmætəpəʊˈɛtɪk), adjective
- onomatopoeically or onomatopoetically, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse