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. 2022

How to use onomatopoeia in a sentence

In the cultural languages they recur, if at all, only in the onomatopoetic word-formations of later origin.
Elements of Folk Psychology|Wilhelm Wundt
Then follows the march, expressed both in musical notes and onomatopoetic words.
Shakespeare and Music|Edward W. Naylor
So much sound makes us suspicious of the sense, but a little closer ear appreciates delicate and telling onomatopoetic effects.
Kentucky in American Letters, v. 2 of 2|John Wilson Townsend
“Literary impressionism,” which is largely the use of onomatopoetic words, is a valuable factor in the artistic short story.
Threads of Grey and Gold|Myrtle Reed

As we know, music is a language which may delineate actual occurrences by means of onomatopoetic sounds.
Critical & Historical Essays|Edward MacDowell

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