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Onomatopoeic: meaning, definitions and examples

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onomatopoeic

 

[ ˌɒnəˌmætəˈpiːɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

language feature

Onomatopoeic refers to words that phonetically imitate, resemble, or suggest the sound that they describe. These words are often used to convey sounds directly through their pronunciation. Common examples include words like 'buzz,' 'bang,' and 'meow,' which mimic the noises associated with the objects or actions they represent. Onomatopoeic words enrich the language by adding auditory imagery, making descriptions more vivid and engaging. They are frequently found in poetry, comic books, and children's literature.

Synonyms

echoic, phonetic, sound-imitative.

Examples of usage

  • The word 'quack' is onomatopoeic.
  • Onomatopoeic words enhance storytelling.
  • The author used onomatopoeic phrases in the poem.
  • I love how onomatopoeic words sound in comic strips.

Translations

Translations of the word "onomatopoeic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 onomatopeico

🇮🇳 ध्वनि अनुकरणीय

🇩🇪 onomatopoetisch

🇮🇩 onomatopeik

🇺🇦 ономатопейний

🇵🇱 onomatopeiczny

🇯🇵 擬音語の

🇫🇷 onomatopéique

🇪🇸 onomatopeya

🇹🇷 ses taklidi

🇰🇷 의성어의

🇸🇦 محاكي الصوت

🇨🇿 onomatopoetický

🇸🇰 onomatopeický

🇨🇳 拟声的

🇸🇮 onomatopejski

🇮🇸 háttur

🇰🇿 дыбыстық

🇬🇪 ონომატოპეიური

🇦🇿 onamatopik

🇲🇽 onomatopeya

Etymology

The term 'onomatopoeic' is derived from the Greek word 'onomatopoiia,' which means 'the making of a name' or 'name creation.' This word is a combination of 'onoma,' meaning 'name,' and 'poiein,' meaning 'to make or create.' The concept of onomatopoeia has been recognized since ancient times, as early as in the works of Homer, where sounds were often described through language that mimicked those sounds. By the 16th century, the word began to take on its modern form and usage in English, reflecting a growing interest in how language can imitate natural sounds. The fascination with onomatopoeia continues today in literature, advertising, and music, where sound symbolism plays a significant role in communication.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,820, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.