paronomasia

[par-uh-noh-mey-zhuh, -zhee-uh, -zee-uh]

noun

Rhetoric.

1. the use of a word in different senses or the use of words similar in sound to achieve a specific effect, as humor or a dual meaning; punning.

2. a pun.

paronomasia

/ ˌpærənəʊˈmæstɪk, ˌpærənəʊˈmeɪzɪə /

noun

1. rhetoric a play on words, esp a pun

Other Word Forms

• paronomastic adjective
• paronomastically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of paronomasia¹

1570–80; < Latin < Greek paronomasía a play on words, assonance, derivative of paronomázein to make a slight name-change ( par- par- + onomázein to name, derivative of ónoma name ); -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of paronomasia¹

C16: via Latin from Greek: a play on words, from paronomazein to make a change in naming, from _para- ¹ (beside) + onomazein to name, from onoma a name

Example Sentences

The Roman orators Cicero and Quintilian believed that "paronomasia", the Greek term for punning, was a sign of intellectual suppleness and rhetorical skill.

Read more on BBC

The investment mania was interrupted by the financial crisis; the paronomasia seems unstoppable.

Read more on Economist

The only grounds for this theory are the easiness of the Greek style and the paronomasia in iv.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

"It is a perversion of the text," said the eager Henry Warden, "grounded on a vain play upon words—a most idle paronomasia."

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Related Words

• double entendre 
• joke 
• quip