onomatopoeia
noun
The formation of a word from a sound associated with what it names; a word that imitates the sound it represents.
Etymology
From Greek onomatopoiia meaning "the making of words," from onoma (name) + poiein (to make, compose).
Examples in Use
- 1.
"Buzz, hiss, and splash are examples of onomatopoeia."
- 2.
"Comic books are full of onomatopoeia like POW and BAM."
- 3.
"Poets use onomatopoeia to create sound imagery."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
Onomatopoeia varies by language - English dogs say "woof," French dogs say "ouaf," and Japanese dogs say "wan wan." Each language interprets animal sounds through its own phonetic system.
Word Game Tips
Letters: 12 letters (O, N, O, M, A, T, O, P, O, E, I, A)
Scrabble Value: 16 points
Tip: Look for common letter combinations like "ON" at the start of words.
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