What Is Alliteration? | Definition & Examples

Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words in close proximity to each other (e.g., “whispering winds,” “busy bee”). Alliteration gives a rhythmic and almost musical quality to words that makes them more engaging, memorable, and impactful.

What is alliteration?

Alliteration (also called initial rhyme or head rhyme) is a literary device in which the same consonant sound is repeated at the beginning of adjacent or nearby words. Alliteration is often used in poetry, song lyrics, prose, and even speeches.

Alliteration is often created by repeating the same letters at the beginning of words, but not always. It’s important to remember that alliteration is the repetition of the same sound, not just the same letter. For example, “Chris quickly captured the curious cat” is an example of alliteration despite the initial consonant sound (i.e., the “k” sound) coming from different initial consonants (i.e., “ch,” “qu,” and “c”).

What is the purpose of alliteration?

Alliteration is used in various types of writing, from children’s stories to song lyrics and political speeches, to:

• Add rhythm. Alliteration can enhance the overall reading or listening experience by adding an almost musical quality that makes it more pleasing to the ear.
• Emphasize certain words. Repeating sounds at the beginning of certain words can bring more attention to specific words and make them stand out in the reader’s mind.
• Create mood. The repetition of sounds can evoke emotion in the reader. Sharp sounds often create an ominous or moody feeling, while soft sounds can create a sense of ease.
• Make it memorable. Alliterative phrasing tends to be catchier and easier to remember, which is why it’s often used in song lyrics, brand names, and advertising catchphrases.

Alliteration examples

Alliteration is used in many different types of creative writing, including poetry, song lyrics, and advertising catchphrases. Poets often use alliteration to create a rhythmic flow and pleasing sound to the ear.

Using alliteration in song lyrics can make them catchier and easier to remember. It also helps the songwriter create cadence and rhythm in the lyrics to match the timing of the music.

Using alliteration in advertising catchphrases makes advertisements easier to recall, allowing them to stay on the consumers’ minds more easily. It can also make products sound more fun and appealing, making the customer want to buy the product.

Frequently asked questions about alliterations

What is the difference between alliteration and repetition?

Alliteration is the repetition of an identical consonant sound at the beginning of nearby words (e.g., “the crisp caramel cookie crumbled”).

Repetition is the repeated use of entire words or phrases throughout one or multiple sentences (e.g., “step by step, inch by inch”).

Scribbr’s free Paraphrasing Tool can help you select certain synonyms that begin with similar sounds to improve your alliteration.

What is the difference between alliteration and rhyme?

Alliteration and rhyme both involve the repetition of similar sounds, but there are some differences.

Alliteration is the repetition of an identical consonant sound at the beginning of words (e.g., “fresh flowers flourish fully”).

Rhyme is the repetition of an identical vowel sound or vowel/consonant combination at the end of words (e.g., “tree/bee,” “moon/spoon”).

Scribbr’s free Paraphrasing Tool can help you select certain synonyms that begin with similar sounds to improve your alliteration.

What is the difference between assonance and alliteration?

Assonance is the repetition of a vowel sound in nearby words and can occur at the beginning, middle, or end of the word (e.g., “We keep the keys in the green jeep”).

Alliteration is the repetition of a consonant sound at the beginning of nearby words (e.g., “Big brown bears bounce between boulders”).

Scribbr’s free Paraphrasing Tool can help you clearly express your ideas in your writing.

What is it called when several words start with the same letter?

Alliteration is when several nearby words start with the same letter and make the same sound (e.g., “curious cats climb cliffs”).

Scribbr’s free Paraphrasing Tool can help you select certain synonyms that begin with similar sounds to improve your alliteration.