Figure of Speech Definition With Examples
Figure of Speech Definition With Examples
Simile
Definition: A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as.” Example: Her smile was as bright as the sun.
- Metaphor
Definition: A direct comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as.” Example: Time is a thief.
- Personification
Definition: Giving human characteristics to non-human objects or abstract concepts. Example: The wind whispered through the trees.
- Hyperbole
Definition: An exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally. Example: I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.
- Understatement
Definition: Making something seem less important or severe than it is. Example: Winning the lottery was a nice surprise.
- Oxymoron
Definition: A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction. Example: Jumbo shrimp.
- Onomatopoeia
Definition: A word that imitates the sound it represents. Example: The bees buzzed in the garden.
- Alliteration
Definition: The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words in a sentence or phrase. Example: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
- Assonance
Definition: The repetition of vowel sounds within closely placed words. Example: The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.
- Consonance
Definition: The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words in a sentence or phrase. Example: The lumpy, bumpy road.
- Pun
Definition: A play on words, often for humorous or rhetorical effect. Example: I used to be a baker, but I couldn’t make enough dough.
- Irony
Definition: A contrast between expectation and reality. Example: A pilot afraid of heights.
- Sarcasm
Definition: The use of irony to mock or convey contempt. Example: Oh, great! Another homework assignment!
- Paradox
Definition: A statement that seems contradictory but reveals a truth. Example: Less is more.
- Euphemism
Definition: A mild or indirect word or expression used to replace one that is too harsh or blunt. Example: Passed away instead of died.
- Metonymy
Definition: Substituting the name of one object with another object closely associated with it. Example: The pen is mightier than the sword. (“Pen” refers to written words, “sword” refers to military force)
- Synecdoche
Definition: A figure of speech in which a part represents the whole. Example: All hands on deck. (Hands refer to sailors)
- Anaphora
Definition: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. Example: Every day, every night, in every way, I am getting better and better.
- Epistrophe
Definition: The repetition of a word at the end of successive clauses or sentences. Example: See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
- Anadiplosis
Definition: The repetition of the last word of one clause at the beginning of the next clause. Example: Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.
- Antithesis
Definition: A contrast or opposition between two things. Example: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
- Chiasmus
Definition: A rhetorical or literary figure in which words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order. Example: Never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you.
- Litotes
Definition: An understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite. Example: Not bad for a beginner.
- Apostrophe
Definition: Addressing a non-existent person or an abstract idea as if it were present and capable of understanding. Example: O Death, where is thy sting?
- Hyperbaton
Definition: Altering word order, or separation of words that belong together, for emphasis. Example: This I must see.
- Pleonasm
Definition: The use of more words than necessary to convey meaning. Example: I saw it with my own eyes.
- Tautology
Definition: Redundant or unnecessary repetition of meaning in different words. Example: Free gift.
- Climax
Definition: Arranging words, phrases, or sentences in an ascending order of importance. Example: He came, he saw, he conquered.
- Anticlimax
Definition: A disappointing end to an exciting or impressive series of events. Example: He lost his family, his car, and his cell phone.
- Polyptoton
Definition: Repetition of the same root word in different forms. Example: Choosy mothers choose Jif.
- Zeugma
Definition: A figure of speech in which a word applies to multiple parts of the sentence. Example: She broke his car and his heart.
- Antonomasia
Definition: The substitution of a proper name with a title or epithet. Example: The Bard for Shakespeare.
- Polysyndeton
Definition: The use of several conjunctions in close succession. Example: We have ships and men and money and stores.
Figure of Speech Definition With Examples
- Asyndeton
Definition: The omission of conjunctions between parts of a sentence. Example: I came, I saw, I conquered.
- Parenthesis
Definition: An explanatory or qualifying word, clause, or sentence inserted into a passage. Example: My family is getting a new dog (we are going to name him Max).
- Epanalepsis
Definition: The repetition of the initial part of a clause or sentence at the end. Example: The king is dead, long live the king.
- Epithet
Definition: An adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing mentioned. Example: Alexander the Great.
- Paronomasia
Definition: A play on words, also known as a pun. Example: A good pun is its own reword.
- Hypophora
Definition: Raising a question and immediately answering it. Example: What makes life wonderful? Love and laughter.
- Prolepsis
Definition: The anticipation of possible objections in order to answer them in advance. Example: To be sure, some will say the plan will not work, but I disagree.
Figure of Speech Definition With Examples
- Innuendo
Definition: An indirect or subtle reference, often suggesting something negative. Example: She’s always arriving late, if you know what I mean.
- Aposiopesis
Definition: The device of suddenly breaking off in speech. Example: I’m so angry, I could just…!
- Enthymeme
Definition: An argument in which one premise is not explicitly stated. Example: He is a U.S. citizen, so he is entitled to due process. (Unstated premise: All U.S. citizens are entitled to due process)
- Periphrasis
Definition: The use of indirect and circumlocutory speech or writing. Example: The elongated yellow fruit (for banana).
- Epizeuxis
Definition: The repetition of a word or phrase in immediate succession. Example: The horror, the horror!
- Catachresis
Definition: The use of a word in a way that is not correct, for example, the use of a mixed metaphor. Example: The voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses.
- Anacoluthon
Definition: A sentence or construction that lacks grammatical sequence. Example: While in the garden, the door banged shut.
- Syllepsis
Definition: A figure of speech in which a word is applied to two others in different senses. Example: He caught the train and a bad cold.
- Synaesthesia
Definition: Describing one kind of sensation in terms of another. Example: A loud color.
- Meiosis
Definition: A euphemistic figure of speech that intentionally understates something or implies that it is lesser in significance or size than it really is. Example: It’s just a scratch (for a large wound).