figures of speech
Metaphors and similes
Figures of speech are expressions that use words in non-literal ways to create effect.
Metaphors, similes, hyperbole, and irony are common examples.
It's raining cats and dogs doesn't describe falling animals—it emphasizes heavy rain.
Figures of speech add color and emphasis to language, making abstract ideas vivid or familiar things fresh.
Implied identity comparison
- simileComparison via "as"
- hyperboleRhetorical extreme exaggeration
- personificationAttributing humanity to non-humans
- oxymoronSelf-contradicting phrase device
paradox · synecdoche · metonymy · irony · litotes · antithesis · chiasmus · apostrophe
Matching initial consonants
- assonanceVowel sound repetition
- consonanceHarmonious sound combination
- onomatopoeiaSound-imitating word formation
- sibilanceHissing quality in speech
euphony · cacophony · rhythm · meter · rhyme · repetition · refrain · echo
Symbolic tale with deeper meaning
- parableInstructive allegorical narrative
- fableMoral tale with animals
- analogyExplanatory likeness between things
- conceitExaggerated self-admiration
symbolism · archetype · motif · typology · exemplum · emblem
Wordplay using double meanings
- double entendrePhrase with hidden lewdness
- malapropismSound-alike word confusion
- spoonerismAccidental sound transposition
- paronomasiaRhetorical use of puns
equivocation · innuendo · witticism · quip · portmanteau · neologism · palindrome
Mild substitute for bluntness
- circumlocutionIndirect, wordy expression
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
- insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
- implicationIndirect suggestion or consequence
understatement · meiosis · suggestion · hint · allusion · coded language
metaphor
Implied identity comparison
- simileComparison via "as"
- hyperboleRhetorical extreme exaggeration
- personificationAttributing humanity to non-humans
oxymoron · paradox · synecdoche · metonymy · irony · litotes · antithesis · chiasmus · apostrophe · rhetorical question
alliteration
Matching initial consonants
- assonanceVowel sound repetition
- consonanceHarmonious sound combination
- onomatopoeiaSound-imitating word formation
sibilance · euphony · cacophony · rhythm · meter · rhyme · repetition · refrain · echo · cadence
allegory
Symbolic tale with deeper meaning
- parableInstructive allegorical narrative
- fableMoral tale with animals
- analogyExplanatory likeness between things
conceit · symbolism · archetype · motif · typology · exemplum · emblem
pun
Wordplay using double meanings
- double entendrePhrase with hidden lewdness
- malapropismSound-alike word confusion
- spoonerismAccidental sound transposition
paronomasia · equivocation · innuendo · witticism · quip · portmanteau · neologism · palindrome
euphemism
Mild substitute for bluntness
- circumlocutionIndirect, wordy expression
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
- insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
implication · understatement · meiosis · suggestion · hint · allusion · coded language
idiom
Fixed phrase, opaque meaning
maxim · saying · cliché · truism · epigram · motto · axiom · platitude · bromide · catchphrase
- languagelanguage, word, words, grammar, spelling
- expressionsexpression, I love you, phrase, idioms, thank you
- phrasesnoun phrases, noun phrase, verb phrase, prepositional phrase, prepositional phrases
- rhetoricrhetoric, persuasion, oratory, argumentation, debate
- figurative languagemetaphor, simile, analogy, personification, metonymy
- liberal artshumanities, trivium, philosophy, history, classical education
figures of speechplain speech
Unembellished verbal expression
literal meaning · explicit language · simple language · bare facts · unvarnished truth
figures of speechtechnical language
Specialized vocabulary of a field
scientific language · journalistic style · business language · legalese · boilerplate
speech, figure, figured, figuring, disfigure, figurative, configure, figurehead, transfigure