Onomatopoeia Figure of Speech: Examples, Usage & Worksheet

What Is Onomatopoeia and its Definition?

The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms explains onomatopoeia figure of speech as “the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named (e.g. cuckoo, sizzle)” and according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, onomatopoeia is defined as “the fact of words containing sounds similar to the noises they describe”.

In very simple words, this figure of speech is used to pronounce the words in the same way as the sound associated with it. Onomatopoeia occurs most commonly with animal sounds, mechanical sounds, and action/impact sounds.

Remember that it is important to know the onomatopoeia definition and examples to get a better understanding of the topic. So, read the examples here and practice well to bring these words into your daily language.

10 Examples of Onomatopoeia

Go through the examples of onomatopoeia figure of speech used in the sentences below to have a better understanding of how to use them in your daily conversations.

1. The bee made a loud buzz as it flew past my ear.
2. Raindrops pitter-pattered on the roof all night.
3. With a loud bang, the door slammed shut.
4. The hungry puppy let out a little yip.
5. The bacon started to sizzle in the hot pan.
6. He could hear the gentle drip, drip, drip of the leaky faucet.
7. The old floorboards would creak whenever someone walked on them.
8. The cat let out a soft meow.
9. The glass fell from the table with a loud crash.
10. The balloon suddenly went pop!

These are the onomatopoeia examples sentences that will help you to understand the usage of these words.

How to Use Onomatopoeia?

The main reason behind using the onomatopoeia figure of speech is to make your speech more engaging and attractive for the readers and listeners. So, it becomes important that you choose the most accurate word that fits the tone. So, some of the rules of pointers that you must remember while using the onomatopoeia words are:

1. Choose the correct word: It is important that the word you choose matches the tone of the real sound of whatever you are trying to depict in the sentence.
2. Make strategic placement: You can use these words either at the start, middle, or end of the sentence. So, make the perfect strategy of the word placement to make the sentence more attractive.
3. Do not overuse: Too many onomatopoeia can become distracting and sound unnatural. So, use it in such a way that it surprises the readers and listeners and is placed accurately.
4. Try to visualize the scene: Rather than just saying The door slammed, you can say The door slammed shut with a thud. This makes the visuals dominate and makes the sentence more attractive.
5. Vocabulary update: Learn new words daily, add them to your regular conversations, and also learn synonyms to make your word bank more diverse and engaging.

List of Onomatopoeic Words

Go through the list of onomatopoeia words to update your vocabulary and try using them in your daily conversations to make it more engaging and interesting.

These are some of the examples of onomatopoeia words that can help you with improving in your expressions in English language.

Worksheet - Fill in the Correct Word 

Read each sentence below and fill in the correct word that is an example of onomatopoeia. Write the onomatopoeic word in the blank space.

1. The snake made a soft __________________ as it moved through the grass.
2. We could hear the __________________ of the clock from the next room.
3. The old car's engine gave a loud __________________ before finally starting.
4. The children loved to hear the story of the big dog's __________________.
5. Don't forget to __________________ the door when you leave.
6. The chef listened to the gentle __________________ of the soup simmering.
7. A loud __________________ of thunder startled everyone during the storm.
8. The little bird gave a cheerful __________________ in the morning.
9. The heavy book landed on the table with a dull __________________.
10. The playful kitten would often __________________ at the dangling toy.

Answer Key

1. hiss
2. tick-tock
3. vroom
4. woof
5. bang
6. bubble
7. boom
8. tweet
9. thud
10. purr

Conclusion

This was all about the onomatopoeia figure of speech. Here, you get to know the definition of the topic with the help of examples for better clarity. After that, you also get to know the correct way of using these words in your responses and speeches. So, go through the list of onomatopoeia words, update your vocabulary, and become a proficient speaker of the English language. In the end, solve the worksheet to check your knowledge of the topic. Apart from that, there are several other figures of speech, such as irony, alliteration, and many more, that you must know. So, prepare well and make your conversations more engaging.

FAQs

1. What Is the Definition of Onomatopoeia?

Onomatopoeia are words that mimic or imitate the sounds they describe. For example, "meow," "buzz," "thump," and "pow".

2. Can Onomatopoeia be Found in Literature?

Yes, onomatopoeia is commonly found in literature. It's a literary device where words mimic or imitate the sounds they refer to. By this, the reading experience improves, and engagement also increases.

3. What Is an Example of Onomatopoeia in Advertising?

An example of onomatopoeia in advertising is Kellogg's Rice Krispies slogan, "Snap! Crackle! Pop!". This slogan uses onomatopoeia to describe the sounds the cereal makes when milk is added.

4. What Is Onomatopoeia in Poetic Devices?

Onomatopoeia is one way a poet can create sounds in a poem. For example: slam, splash, bam, babble, warble, gurgle, mumble, and belch.

5. What Are the 4 Types of Onomatopoeia?

The 4 types of onomatopoeia are: Mechanical Onomatopoeia, Fast Motion Onomatopoeia, Musical Onomatopoeia, and Fighting Onomatopoeia.