onomatopoeia
[ on-uh-mat-uh-pee-uh, ‐mah-tuh‐ ]
/ ˌɒn əˌmæt əˈpi ə, ‐ˌmɑ tə‐ /
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.
Nearby words
onomasticon, onomastics, onomatology, onomatomania, onomatophobia, onomatopoeia, onondaga, onondagan, onr, onrush, ons
Origin of onomatopoeia
Related forms
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, adverbDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for onomatopoetic
British Dictionary definitions for onomatopoetic
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
onomatopoeic or onomatopoetic (ˌɒnəˌmætəpəʊˈɛtɪk), adjectiveonomatopoeically or onomatopoetically, adverbWord Origin for onomatopoeia
C16: via Late Latin from Greek onoma name + poiein to make
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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