figurative language Flashcards
what is a simile
uses the words like or as to compare one object with another to suggest that they are similar
a simile says you are LIKE something
ex. They fought like cats and dogs.
She was as quiet as a mouse.
what is a metaphor
it compares two things but does not use the words like or as.
a metaphor says that you ARE something
ex. Her eyes were jewels, sparkling in the sun.
what is a hyperbole
an exaggeration that is so dramatic that no one would believe the statement was true
ex. I have a million things to do.
what is onomatopoeia
a word that imitates the sound of a thing or an action
ex. The duck quacked as it crossed our path.
what is personification
when human characteristics are given to an animal or object
ex. The flowers danced in the breeze.
what is alliteration
when two or more words are linked together that share the same first consonant sound
ex. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
what are idioms
a phrase that is used in everyday language that means something completely different than what the actual words mean
ex. The ELA test was a piece of cake.
what is allusion
brief but purposeful references to a person, place, event, or another work of literature
ex. She was Einstein in class today.
what is oxymoron
when two oppositional words are combined to create a unique word or phrase
ex. old news, silent scream
what are puns
a figure of speech that exploits a word’s meaning
(dad jokes)
ex. What did the grape say when it got crushed? Nothing, it just let out a little wine.
