onomatopoeic

Echoing actual sounds

Onomatopoeic describes words that sound like what they mean.

Buzz, hiss, splash, and thud are onomatopoeic—their pronunciation mimics the sounds they name.

The term applies to any language where sound and sense converge: The poem's onomatopoeic language made the storm feel present.

Also spelled onomatopoetic.

sounds

buzz

Continuous low drone

thud · bang · crack · pop · hiss · whoosh · crash · snap · crackle · fizz

animal

chirp

Short, high avian sound

  • croakHarsh guttural sound
  • meowFeline vocalization
  • quackFake healer or fowl noise

moo · neigh · oink · purr · woof · hoot · growl · bleat · roar · squawk

water

splash

Liquid scattering on impact

  • dripLiquid falling slowly
  • gurgleBubbling liquid sound
  • plopSoft dropping sound

splish · squelch · slosh · trickle · gush · bubble · sputter · glug · pitter-patter · splatter

mechanical

whir

Continuous humming sound

  • clickBrief sharp noise
  • beepShort electronic tone
  • honkLoud nasal blast

vroom · chug · screech · clank · rattle · tick · toot · zoom · rev · putter

linguistic

phonology

Science of language sounds

etymology · lexicon · morpheme · coinage · neologism · interjection · exclamation · vocalization

voice

whisper

Speech without full voice

  • murmurSoft, indistinct continuous sound
  • mumbleSpeak softly, indistinctly
  • hushAbsence of sound

shush · gasp · sigh · groan · giggle · snicker · hiccup · gulp · burp · cough

Opposites
sound-meaning relationship

onomatopoeicarbitrary

Based on personal whim

conventional · unmotivated · symbolic · abstract

Family

onomatopoeia, onomatopoetic

Familiarity
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Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Rated G