onomatopoeia

[ on-uh-mat-uh-pee-uh, ‐mah-tuh‐ ]

/ ˌɒn əˌmæt əˈpi ə, ‐ˌmɑ tə‐ /

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See synonyms for: onomatopoeia / onomatopoeic / onomatopoetic on Thesaurus.com

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.

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Origin of onomatopoeia

1570–80; <Late Latin <Greek onomatopoiía making of words, equivalent to onomato- (combining form of ónoma name) + poi- (stem of poieîn to make; see poet) + -ia -ia

OTHER 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/, adjectiveon·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. 2023

How to use onomatopoeia in a sentence

The “boom” of a cannon (note of a bell, cry of the bittern) is distinct from this, being onomatopoeic.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 2|Various
In the vernacular the point is brought out by the onomatopoeic character of the lines, which cannot be rendered in English.
The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India|R. V. Russell
The English word may be of native origin and merely onomatopoeic.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 17, Slice 1|Various
With onomatopoeic effects it gives a vivid if unfriendly picture of a blacksmith's forge on a busy night.
Fourteenth Century Verse & Prose|Various

In Language, its Origin and Development , he upholds the onomatopoeic theory.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 7|Various

British Dictionary definitions for onomatopoeia

onomatopoeia

/ (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

Derived forms of onomatopoeia

onomatopoeic or onomatopoetic (ˌɒnəˌmætəpəʊˈɛtɪk), adjectiveonomatopoeically or onomatopoetically, adverb

Word Origin for onomatopoeia

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

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

onomatopoeia

Origin of onomatopoeia

OTHER WORDS FROM onomatopoeia

Words related to onomatopoeia

How to use onomatopoeia in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for onomatopoeia

Derived forms of onomatopoeia

Word Origin for onomatopoeia