alliterate
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to show alliteration.
In “Round and round the rugged rock the ragged rascal ran,” the “r” alliterates.
-
to use alliteration.
Swinburne often alliterates.
verb (used with object)
verb
-
to contain or cause to contain alliteration
-
(intr) to speak or write using alliteration
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of alliterate
First recorded in 1810–20; back formation from alliteration
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“And he really did alliterate like that when you talked to him.”
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 12, 2018
And he really did alliterate like that when you talked to him.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 12, 2018
It helps that the words "latte" and "liberalism" alliterate.
From BBC • Oct. 5, 2014
The real problem with the Washington Bullets name was that it didn't alliterate, and the reason it didn't alliterate was that Abe Pollin stole the Baltimore Bullets.
From Slate • Jan. 12, 2010
Any initial vowel or diphthong may alliterate with any other initial vowel or diphthong; but a consonant requires the same consonant, except st, sp, and sc, each of which alliterates only with itself.
From Anglo-Saxon Grammar and Exercise Book with Inflections, Syntax, Selections for Reading, and Glossary by Smith, C. Alphonso (Charles Alphonso)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
