onomatopoeias

Words mimicking sounds

Onomatopoeias is the plural of onomatopoeia—words that sound like what they describe.

Buzz, hiss, splash, and meow are onomatopoeias.

The term comes from Greek for "name-making," since these words seem to name things by imitating their sounds: Comic books are full of onomatopoeias like pow, zap, and whoosh.

liquid

splash

Liquid scattering on impact

  • dripLiquid falling slowly
  • gurgleBubbling liquid sound
  • sloshLiquid moving messily

splatter · plop · drizzle · trickle · gush · burble · swoosh · splish · squish · squelch

impact

bang

Sudden loud noise

  • crashSudden violent impact
  • thudDull impact noise
  • smashBreak violently apart

clang · thump · knock · slam · boom · crack · clatter · whack · bonk · splat

animal

meow

Feline vocalization

  • woofVocalization from canines
  • mooBovine vocalization
  • oinkPig vocalization

baa · quack · chirp · hiss · growl · roar · buzz · croak · caw · neigh

mechanical

click

Brief sharp noise

  • beepShort electronic tone
  • honkLoud nasal blast
  • tickParasitic eight-legged pest

whir · buzz · clank · screech · rattle · hum · rev · chug · ping · ding

comics

pow

Sudden impact exclamation

  • zapDestroy suddenly with energy
  • bamLoud impact sound
  • whamForceful impact sound

kaboom · splat · whoosh · kapow · thwack · bonk · biff · zonk · zing · kablam

vocal

whisper

Speech without full voice

  • murmurSoft, indistinct continuous sound
  • gaspSudden sharp breath
  • sighAudible emotional breath

groan · giggle · hiccup · cough · sneeze · burp · yawn · snore · hum · mumble

Family

onomatopoeia, onomatopoeic

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Rated G