Figurative Language Definitions

The repeating of beginning consonant sounds in a group of words

• alliteration

• idiom

• symbolism

An expression that is related to something well known in literature or history

• oxymoron

• allusion

• imagery

Exaggeration used to emphasize a point or add excitement and humor to a story

• metaphor

• simile

• hyperbole

An expression that means something different from what it says.  The meaning of words is understood by a particular group of people (culture)

• personification

• idiom

• allusion

Very descriptive language that appeals to one of the five senses

• oxymoron

• imagery

• symbolism

A comparison that does not use connecting words and suggests a likeness between two things

• metaphor

• simile

• imagery

A word whose sound suggests or imitates its meaning

• idiom

• onomatopoeia

• simile

A phrase made of two or more words that are actually opposites

• alliteration

• imagery

• oxymoron

Giving human qualities or actions to something that is not human

• simile

• idiom

• personification

A comparison between two things that do not seem to be alike, using connecting words such as like, as, or seems

• simile

• metaphor

• onomatopoeia