What Is Onomatopoeia? | Definition & Examples

Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech in which a word is pronounced the same way as the sound associated with it. Onomatopoeia occurs most commonly with animal sounds (e.g., the buzz from a bee), mechanical sounds (e.g., the clang of metal on metal), and action/impact sounds (e.g., the boom from an explosion).

What is onomatopoeia?

Onomatopoeia (pronounced [on-uh-mah-tuh-pee-uh]) is a figure of speech in which a word imitates or resembles the sound it describes. The word “onomatopoeia” is a Greek word that can be broken down into two root words—“onoma,” meaning “name” and “poiein,” meaning “to make.” Combined, onomatopoeia means “the making of a name.”

The relationship between the meaning and pronunciation of most words is arbitrary. In other words, the phonetic sound of “book” has nothing to do with the meaning of the word. But if that book fell off the shelf, the sound it made would sound similar to how the word thud is pronounced, which is why thud is considered an example of onomatopoeia.

Onomatopoeia is most commonly used for sounds of impact or action (e.g., whack, bang) and human or animal sounds (e.g., gasp, hiss). But it can be used for many more types of words, including eating and drinking sounds (e.g., slurp, crunch), footsteps (e.g., clomp, patter), natural sounds (e.g., woosh, drip), or musical sounds (e.g., twang, clap).

Onomatopoeia is typically treated as an uncountable noun, although onomatopoeic words are sometimes called onomatopoeias.

Why use onomatopoeia?

Onomatopoeia, like other sound devices (e.g., sibilance and alliteration), is used to enhance the reading or listening experience. Writers often use onomatopoeia for the following reasons:

• Create vivid imagery. Mimicking real-life sounds allows writers to create more detailed and sensory-rich scenes.
• Evoke an auditory response. Using onomatopoeia creates a more immersive reading experience and allows the reader to “hear” the sounds within the story.
• Convey atmosphere. Using a word like “rustle” to describe autumn leaves on the ground can help establish the setting.
• Enhance action scenes. Words like “bang,” “crash,” or “boom” can add excitement and intensity to fast-paced scenes.
• Simplify descriptive words. Instead of describing a sound in lengthy detail, writers can use onomatopoeia to write more concisely.

Onomatopoeia examples

Onomatopoeia can be used to describe a variety of sounds.

Frequently asked questions about onomatopoeia

Can onomatopoeia be found in literature?

Onomatopoeia is often used in literature to enhance the reading or listening experience by using more impactful and immersive auditory language.

For example, in The Sound of Things Falling, Juan Gabriel Vásquez writes, “I heard a loud thud, and I turned to see the object that had fallen.”

Scribbr’s free Paraphrasing Tool can help you choose the perfect phrasing to express your ideas clearly.

What is an example of onomatopoeia in advertising?

One of the best examples of onomatopoeia in advertising is Kellogg’s slogan—Snap! Crackle! Pop!—to describe their Rice Krispies.

Onomatopoeia is used in this example to describe the sounds the popular cereal makes when milk is added.

Scribbr’s free Paraphrasing Tool can help you choose the perfect phrasing to express your ideas clearly.

What is onomonopia?

Onomonopia is a common misspelling of the word onomatopoeia. The correct term refers to words that phonetically imitate the sounds they describe (e.g., snap, bang).

Scribbr’s free Grammar Checker ensures you use the correct spelling every time.