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The naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it

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: the naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it (such as buzz, hiss)

In comic books, when you see someone with a gun, you know it's only going off when you read the onomatopoeias. - Christian Marclay

Did you know?

English speakers have only used the word onomatopoeia since the 1500s, but people have been creating words inspired by the sounds heard around them for much longer. It may not surprise you to learn that , , , and are onomatopoeic in origin, but did you know the same is true of , , and ? Boom! Now you do. In fact, the presence of so many imitative words in language spawned the linguistic bowwow theory, which postulates that language originated in the imitating of natural sounds. While it's highly unlikely that onomatopoeia is the sole impetus for human language, it certainly made a mark, which is nothing to sneeze at.

Example Sentences

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'onomatopoeia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Late Latin, from Greek onomatopoiia, from onomat-, onoma name + poiein to make - more at poet

circa 1553, in the meaning defined at sense 1

The first known use of onomatopoeia was circa 1553

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"Onomatopoeia." Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onomatopoeia. Accessed 24 Jan. 2023.

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the naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it (such as buzz, hiss); also : a word formed by onomatopoeia; the use of words whose sound suggests the sense... See the full definition

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A figure of speech comparing two unlike things that is often introduced by "like" or "as"

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Example Sentences

But Dickens finds the unexpected detail, the vivid simile. Think of Joe Gargery in Great Expectations, "with eyes of such a very undecided blue that they seemed to have somehow got mixed with their own whites." Or, in David Copperfield, Dora's cousin "in the Life-Guards, with such long legs that he looked like the afternoon shadow of somebody else." - After the internship year, doctors assume greater responsibility for directing patient care. Dr. Shockcor at West Virginia offered a homely simile: "It's like working in a factory, putting doors on cars. I'm now responsible that the doors get put on right, whereas as an intern I had to make sure I had a door in my hands and didn't miss a car going by." - "She's as fierce as a tiger" is a What do you think of the author's use of James Wood, Michael Harwood, simile, but "She's a tiger when she's angry" is a metaphor. simile? New York Times Magazine, New Republic,

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'simile.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Middle English, borrowed from Latin, "image, likeness, comparison," noun derivative from neuter of similis "having characteristics in common, like" - more at similar

15th century, in the meaning defined above

The first known use of simile was in the 15th century

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The meaning of SIMILE is a figure of speech comparing two unlike things that is often introduced by like or as (as in cheeks like roses). How to use simile in a sentence. Simile vs. Metaphor

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The repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables

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Alliteration definition is - the repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables (such as wild and woolly, threatening throngs) -called also head rhyme, initial rhyme. How to use alliteration in a sentence. What is alliteration?