Onomatopoeia: Definition, Meaning, Usage and Examples

Have you ever thought how wonderful it would be to have a word describing every sound you hear? Well, it is not something to wonder about – onomatopoeia makes it possible. Learn what onomatopoeia is, its meaning, definition and how to use it to communicate in this article. Furthermore, check out the sentence examples and the comprehensive list of vocabulary given to have an in-depth understanding of how it works.

Table of Contents

• What Is Onomatopoeia? – Meaning and Definition
• How to Identify and Use Onomatopoeia? – Points to Remember
• Examples of Onomatopoeia
  • Examples of Onomatopoeia from Literature
  • Examples of Onomatopoeia from Movies and Songs
  • List of Onomatopoeic Words
• Frequently Asked Questions on Onomatopoeia

What Is Onomatopoeia? – Meaning and Definition

Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech that uses words to describe the sounds made by all living things including people, animals, birds and all inanimate objects. The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms explains onomatopoeia 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”.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines onomatopoeia as “the naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it (such as buzz, hiss)” and according to the Cambridge Dictionary, it is defined as “the act of creating or using words that include sounds that are similar to the noises the words refer to”.

How to Identify and Use Onomatopoeia? – Points to Remember

As already discussed, the usage of words to describe any sound that is created by a living being, a non-living object or entity is termed onomatopoeia. In some cases, the sound itself is used as the word. For example, ‘meow’ is the sound made by a cat and the onomatopoeic word to mention the sound of cats is also meow. Onomatopoeia can be identified easily. The only thing you will have to look for is see if the word denotes a sound.

Examples of Onomatopoeia

Here are a few examples of onomatopoeia from literature, movies and songs for your reference.

Examples of Onomatopoeia from Literature

• • “While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

“‘Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door—

Only this and nothing more.” (‘The Raven’ by Edgar Allen Poe)

• • “Hark, hark!

Bow-wow.

The watch-dogs bark!

Bow-wow.

Hark, hark! I hear

The strain of struggling chanticleer

Cry, ‘cock-a-diddle-dow!’” (‘The Tempest’ by William Shakespeare)

• • “I’m getting married in the morning!

Ding dong! the bells are gonna chime.” (‘Get Me to the Church on Time’ by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe)

• • “Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in the dark inn-yard,

He tapped with his whip on the shutters, but all was locked and barred;

Tlot tlot, tlot tlot! Had they heard it? The horse-hooves, ringing clear;

Tlot tlot, tlot tlot, in the distance! Were they deaf that they did not hear?” (The

Highwayman by Alfred Noyes)

• • “How they clang, and clash, and roar!

What a horror they outpour…”

“…From the bells, bells, bells, bells,

Bells, bells, bells—

From the jingling and the tinkling of the bells…”

“…They can only shriek, shriek,

Out of tune,”

“…Of the bells, bells, bells, bells,

Bells, bells, bells—

In the clamor and the clangor of the bells!”

“… Hear the tolling of the bells—

Iron bells!” (‘The Bells’ by Edgar Allen Poe)

Examples of Onomatopoeia from Movies and Songs

• • Dog goes “woof”

Cat goes “meow”

Bird goes “tweet”

And mouse goes “squeek”

Cow goes “moo”

Frog goes “croak”

And the elephant goes “toot”

Ducks say “quack”

And fish go “blub”

And the seal goes “ow ow ow” (‘What Does the Fox Say?’ – A song by Ylvis)

• • Rachel : Huh. A moo point?

Joey : Yeah, it’s like a cow’s opinion, you know, it just doesn’t matter. It’s “moo“. (F.R.I.E.N.D.S.)

• • “So I take the tank, fly it right up to the General’s palace, drop it at his feet, I’m like, Boom! You looking for this? Boom! Are you looking… Why do I even talk to you guys? Everywhere else that story kills.” (Avengers: Age of Ultron)
  • “Boom, boom, boom

Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon” (‘Firework’ – A song by Katy Perry)

• • “Louder, louder than a lion

‘Cause I am a champion, and you’re gonna hear me roar” (‘Roar’ – A song by Katy Perry)

• • “Clang, clang, clang went the trolley

Ding, ding, ding went the bell

Zing, zing, zing went my heart strings

From the moment I saw him I fell

Chug, chug, chug went the motor

Bump, bump, bump went the brake

Thump, thump, thump went my heart strings

When he smiled I could feel the car shake” (‘The Trolley Song’ by Judy Garland)

List of Onomatopoeic Words

Here is a table of words you can add to your vocabulary.