onomatopoeia

[ on-uh-mat-uh-pee-uh, ‑-mah-tuh‑ ]

noun

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

onomatopoeia

/ ˌɒnəˌmætəpəʊˈɛtɪk; ˌɒnəˌmætəˈpiːə /

noun

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

Derived Forms

• ˌonoˌmatoˈpoeically, adverb
• ˌonoˌmatoˈpoeic, adjective

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of onomatopoeia¹

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

Example Sentences

He seemed as much taken aback as if he had found a tribe of Cherokees studying onomatopoeia in English verse.

From Project Gutenberg

All words which were spontaneously acquired seemed to be instances of onomatopoeia.

From Project Gutenberg

Onomatopoeia, formations of words resembling in sound that of the things denoted by them.

From Project Gutenberg

Mao, the term for a "cat," is obviously an example of onomatopoeia.

From Project Gutenberg

This correspondence of sound and sense is called onomatopoeia.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• imitation
• parallel
• reflection
• repetition
• reverberation