Figures of Speech Flashcards
What is a metaphor?
A metaphor is a figure of speech in which something is literally called something else, without using “like” or “as.”
Example: “Time is a thief.”
What is a simile?
It compares two things using “like” or “as” in order to highlight their similarities
Example: “She runs like the wind.”
(This means she runs very fast, comparing her speed to the wind using “like”)
Pronounced sim-uh-lee
What is hyperbole?
Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally
Example: “I’ve told you a million times.”
Pronounced hi-pur-buh-lee
What is irony?
Where the intended meaning of a word is the opposite of its literal meaning
Example: A chef who never burns food sets their own kitchen on fire
What is litotes?
An understatement that uses double negatives or a negative to affirm a positive, often to create an ironic effect
Example: “She’s not unkind.”
(This means she is kind, using a double negative to emphasize the point in a subtle way.)
Pronounced lie-tuh-teez, lit-uh-teez, –toh-teez
What is onomatopoeia?
The formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named
Example: “Buzz,” “Hiss,” “Boom”
Pronounced on-uh-mat-uh-pee-uh, –mah-tuh‑
What is alliteration?
The repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring words
Example: “She sells seashells by the seashore.”
What is an allusion?
A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, event, or piece of literature, often without explicitly mentioning it
It relies on the reader’s familiarity with what is mentioned.
Example: “He was a real Romeo with the ladies.”
This alludes to Romeo, a character from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” known for his passionate romance with Juliet.
What is an anaphora?
The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences for emphasis
Example: “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets…”
Pronounced uh-naf-ur-ah
What is assonance?
The repetition of vowel sounds in neighboring words
Example: “The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.”
Pronounced as-uh-nuns
What is a cliché?
An overused expression or idea that has lost its originality or impact due to repetition
Example: “Time heals all wounds.”
What is an epiphany?
A moment of sudden realization or understanding, often triggered by a mundane event or experience
Example: Archimedes’ exclamation “Eureka!” when he discovered the principle of buoyancy.
What is epistrophe?
It is the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences. It emphasizes the repeated phrase and can create a rhythm or pattern.
Example: “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”
The repetition of “no evil” at the end of each clause emphasizes the theme of avoiding evil actions.
What is a euphemism?
The substitution of a mild or less-direct expression for a harsh or blunt one
Example: “Passed away” instead of “died.”
What is an understatement?
Presenting something as less significant or important than it actually is
Example: “’It’s just a flesh wound,’ said the knight with his arm cut off.”
What is a pun?
It is a form of wordplay that exploits the multiple meanings of a word or the fact that words with different meanings sound similar. It often creates humor through a play on words.
Example: “I used to be a baker, but I couldn’t make enough dough.”
“Dough” refers to both money (colloquially) and the literal dough used in baking.
What is an oxymoron?
Two contradictory terms are combined for effect
Example: “Jumbo shrimp.”
Pronounced ok-si-mawr-on, -mohr-
Adjective: oxymoronic
Pronounced ok-see-muh-ron-ik
What is spoonerism?
A verbal slip where sounds or syllables in a phrase are swapped, often creating a humorous or nonsensical result
Example: “Woe’s me” becomes “Moe’s wee.”
(Swaps “w” and “m” sounds for a silly twist.)
What are figures of speech?
Rhetorical devices or expressions that convey meanings in imaginative or unusual ways
What is a paradox?
A statement that seems contradictory or absurd but reveals a deeper truth upon reflection
Example: “I must be cruel to be kind.”
(Cruelty and kindness seem opposed, yet it suggests harshness can serve a caring purpose.)
What is personification?
Attributing human characteristics to non-human entities or objects
Example: “The wind whispered through the trees.”
