Figurative Language Definitions

Front

What is Onomatopoeia?

Back

Words that resemble the sound they represent. Example: The baseball 'whizzed' past my ear.

Front

What is Hyperbole?

Back

An extreme exaggeration. Example: Finally, on the millionth time he asked her out, she said yes!

Front

What is an Idiom?

Back

An expression that means something more than the literal definition. Example: If you don’t zip your lips, I will zip them for you!

Front

What is Personification?

Back

Giving human traits to something that is not human. Example: My alarm clock yells at me every morning.

Front

What is Allusion?

Back

A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of significance. Example: It will unlock Pandora’s box.

Front

What is Alliteration?

Back

The repetition of the same initial consonant sound in a series of words. Example: She sells sea shells by the sea shore.

Front

What is a Metaphor?

Back

A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'. Example: Time is a thief.

Front

What is a Simile?

Back

A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using 'like' or 'as'. Example: Her smile is like the sun.

Front

What is Imagery?

Back

Descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates a picture in the reader's mind. Example: The golden leaves danced in the crisp autumn breeze.

Front

What is a Pun?

Back

A play on words that exploits multiple meanings of a term or similar-sounding words for humorous effect. Example: I used to be a baker, but I couldn't make enough dough.