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GCSE

Descriptive Language

Question

What is an Onomatopoeia?

3 years ago

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250 Replies

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16052 views

D

Dolores Haley


250 Answers

Deborah E Profile Picture
Deborah E Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

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When a word is a sound, for example, 'knock knock', 'snap', or 'creek'. When used correctly, it can make your writing more engaging.

'The door opened' can be 'The door creaked open'

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I
Ifza Bibi

it is when words mimic real life sounds such as bang! Crash!

it is used to add a dramatic effect

N
Nicole Batley

Onomatopoeia is a word that sounds like what it means. For example, buzz, crash, bang, pop.

I
Istifanus Danassabe

An onomatopoeia refers to the practice of naming something based on a phonetic (spoken) imitation of a sound associated with it. It can also refer to a single word of this kind: Hiss is an onomatopoeia. 

Ruth D Profile Picture
Ruth D Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

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Onomatopoeia is a technique where the writer uses a word that sounds like the noise it describes. Examples include ‘buzz’ or ‘crash’.

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A
Alison Kilkenny

Have you ever said 'wow!' or seen the word 'boom!' in a book or a cartoon? If you have, you've seen an onomotopoeia. An onomotopeia is a word which is written exactly as it sounds. Other onomotopeias include zap!, splat! and pop!. Animal sounds are onomotopeias. Sounds like oink!, meow!, woof!, moo! and quack!. They all end with an exclamation mark because they are all noisy words.

D
Donia Mursi

Onomatopoeia is a word that imitates the sound it represents.

E.g. The bees buzzed around the flowers.

Mily L Profile Picture
Mily L Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

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An onomatopoeia is a word associated to a sound, for example 'Meow' would be the word associated to the sound a cat makes.

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Kate L Profile Picture
Kate L Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

Engaging & experienced Head of English - exam skills and confidence!

Onomatopoeia is the use of words that sound like their sound such as buzz, snap or thud. You wouldn't write 'an onomatopoeia'. Here's how you could use this literary term in a sentence:


"... the writer uses onomatopoeia such as 'hiss' and 'roar' to contribute to the powerful descriptions of animals in the poem."


"...the writer uses onomatopoeic words including 'snap' to heighten the impact of their description and add to realism."

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H
Hadiyah

The act of creating or using words that include sounds that are similar to the noises the words refer to. E.g. bang, bash, boom.

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