English

>

GCSE

Descriptive Language

Question

What is an Onomatopoeia?

2 years ago

·

214 Replies

·

10025 views

D

Dolores Haley


214 Answers

J
James Kirk

Hello Dolores. Onomatopoeia is what we call a literary device. This means it is a choice of word or phrase that a writer uses so that the reader can 'picture' something in more detail.

An onomatopoeia is a word that sounds like the noise it makes. You could say for example:

I stood on the twig and it broke.


This is a very simple sentence and everybody understands it but if we use the word "CRACKED" instead of "broke" by saying the word 'cracked', which is an onomatopoeia, we actually hear the noise of the twig breaking because the hard C/K sound replicates the noise of the twig breaking and we not only picture the twig breaking but we hear it too.






Najma M Profile Picture
Najma M Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

I am a super happy, bubbly and knowledgeable English tutor.

Words that appeal to the reader's sense of sound- words that sound the same as they are written eg. zap, pow, ssssh, hiss, bizz, boom, bang, snap, crack, fizz, pop

I'm available for 1:1 private online tuition!

Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.
Ms. Saira Profile Picture
Ms. Saira Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

Available to teach and provide fast-track GCSE English lessons!

1 reviews

the naming of a thing or action by imitation of natural sounds (as "buzz" or "hiss") : the use of words whose sound suggests the sense (as for poetic effect)

I'm available for 1:1 private online tuition!

Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.
Anna S Profile Picture
Anna S Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

GCSE English Tutor with experience working as an AQA Examiner

Bang! Crash! Thud! Onomatopoeia is a word that sounds like what it means.

I'm available for 1:1 private online tuition!

Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.
A
Alessandro Do Nascimento
  1. the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named (e.g. cuckoosizzle ).
  2. "a relatively large number of bird names arise by onomatopoeia"
  • the use of onomatopoeia for literary effect.
  • "the language in her picture books is notable for its playfulness and onomatopoeia"


L
Lovely Sarkar

Onomatopoeia is a word in the form of a sound that it is associated with. For example, meow, cuckoo, boom, etc.

Leonie H Profile Picture
Leonie H Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

Qualified English teacher of 5 years. Experienced tutor for a decade.

An onomatopoeia is the naming od a thing or action by imitation of the sound, For example boom to demonstrate a loud sound.

I'm available for 1:1 private online tuition!

Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.
R
Rhianna Igglesden

Hi there Dolores, the word Onomatopoeia sounds complicated but the definition is simple.


It is often used for literary effect and they usually phonetically imitate the word they say. For example, screech is pronounced the exact same way as it is read aloud. An example of this used in a sentence is: The pigs oink as they rolled in the mud. Here it would be ‘oink’ that would make this sentence use Onomatopoeia.


Kirsty H Profile Picture
Kirsty H Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

English Language and Literature KS3, GCSE and A Level

Hi Dolores, onomatopoeia are words that produce sounds. For example, 'boom', 'bang', 'crash'. Onomatopoeia is excellent for creating sound imagery so that your reader can easily imagine the sounds in a description or narrative.

I'm available for 1:1 private online tuition!

Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.
Naomi R Profile Picture
Naomi R Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

Academic English and ESL tutor with 3+ years experience

Onomatopoeia is when words are used to mimic sounds. For example, the word "moo" is onomatopoeia for the sound a cow makes.

I'm available for 1:1 private online tuition!

Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.
M
Mary Bonett

Onomatopoeia is a word that describes phonetically that which it is referencing. For example "BANG" "Swoosh" or "Tick Tock" of a clock.

P
Princess Nwafor

Onomatopoeias are words that look like the sound they make. You see this a lot in comics with words like bang, boom, zoom or zap.

Theadora F Profile Picture
Theadora F Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

University of Oxford BA (first class) tutoring primary to A Level

Onomatopoeia is when a word sounds like what it names or represents. For example, words like "boing", "clap" or "cuckoo" are all onomatopoeic vocabulary. As a literary or artistic choice, onomatopoeia can create a sense of vividness and immediacy, adding a textural dimension to writing through a conscious and playful patterning of sound.

I'm available for 1:1 private online tuition!

Click here to view my profile and arrange a free introduction.
A
Angela Stevens

A formation of a word sound which is associated with that word, such as clap, cuckoo, hiss.

F
Fareeha Faheem

Onomatopoeia is when a word describes a sound and actually mimics the sound of the object or action it refers to when it is spoken. Examples of this would be...


Sounds an animal makes - how a dog may 'bark' or a snake 'hisses'

Sounds people make - 'clap' or 'giggle'

Sounds things make - 'fizzle' and 'poof'


Think you can help?

More English GCSE Questions
Sherpa Badge

Need a GCSE English tutor?

Get started with a free online introductions with an experienced and qualified online tutor on Sherpa.

Find a GCSE English Tutor