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Descriptive Language

Question

What is an Onomatopoeia?

2 years ago

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215 Replies

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10255 views

D

Dolores Haley


215 Answers

E
Emma

A word that imitates a sound.

Michelle O Profile Picture
Michelle O Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

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Onomatopoeia is when the words sounds like it is. For example buzz, fizz, pop

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

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Paul L Profile Picture
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Onomatopoeia is a language technique that is formed by the sound it makes. For example, snap, crackle, pop, hiss, bang, crash, thud, fizz...

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Charlotte O Profile Picture
Charlotte O Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

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Onomatopoeia is when the word sounds like the noise itself, for example ‘cuckoo’ or ‘sizzle’

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E
Elizabeth Kennedy

An onomatopoeia is where a word is formed to give a sound that is associated with the word. For example, Sizzle, Cuckoo

S
Sehar Waseem

Onomatopoeia is a word from a sound that is associated with is named. In simpler terminology: onomatopoeia is a word that sounds like the noise that it is describing. For example: sizzling, boing, buzz, hiss etc

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Emily B Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

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A word that has come into existence because of the sound of what it means e.g. sizzle

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Sonal P

This is the best explanation I have ever found. The examples and way onomatopoeia is explained here is INCREDIBLY easy and memorable!


Enjoy! :)


Onomatopoeia

https://youtu.be/f1b5kCvVBo8

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Onomatopoeia: Words whose sound suggest its meaning.


Onomatopoeia examples:


The bees buzzed by flying back to their hive.

Click the button to take the picture.

The pig squealed when it saw the dog coming.

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Mathew P

Hi Dolores, Onomatopoeia refers to words that are written how they sound. For example ‘whoops’ or ‘bang’. They are useful in describing sounds through language.

Vicki L Profile Picture
Vicki L Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

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Onomatopoeia is when a word sounds the same as the noise that it makes e.g. bang, crash

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Jonothon-Paul Jones

Hi Dolores,


Onomatopoeia are words that describe sounds, such as,


"bark" - this word describes the sound that a dog makes.


"quack quack" - this word describes the sound that a duck makes.


"woosh!" - the sound of something moving very fast.


"clap" - the sound of hitting the palms of your hands together.


There are many words that describe sounds. Try to write down three 'sound words' to help you remember the meaning of Onomatopoeia. Writing down meanings of words by hand in a notebook or workbook is a great memory technique.


Another good memory technique to remember what an Onomatopoeia is, just think of the question: "Which sound does a dog make?"


I hope this is helpful to you!


- Jonothon-Paul Jones.

R
Ray Pope

Onomatopoeia occurs when the pronunciation of a word sounds like the action which it describes. Examples are "buzz", the sound of bees; the "swish" of a curtain being drawn; "sizzle" the sound of bacon frying.

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Joe C Verified Sherpa Tutor ✓

Approachable English tutor with over 6 years of teaching experience.

Onomatopoeia is a language technique wherein a word or phrase sounds like the thing that it is describing. For example, if you say the word 'zip' out loud, it literally sounds like the noise that is made when a coat is fastened quickly. A good example of onomatopoeia can be found with animal noises - in the UK, we use the words 'woof' and 'moo' as our best attempts at writing down what these animal noises sound like. Interestingly, these words differ in other languages, but that's a conversation for another time. Typically, onomatopoeia is used to add sensory detail to scenes - bacon might 'crackle,' lemonade might 'fizz' - or to amplify tension in moments of suspense - a door might 'bang' open, a thundercloud might 'rumble.' It is a tricky word to spell, but when remembering what it means, it might be worth thinking about the phrase: onomatopoeia, it says what you hear.

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