1. the formation of words that imitate the sound they represent
Usage: literary term
2. a word that imitates the sound it represents

Examples

• The poet used onomatopoeia to make the poem more vivid.
• Buzz is an example of onomatopoeia because it sounds like a bee.
• Comic books are full of onomatopoeia like ‘pow’ and ‘crash’.
• The word ‘sizzle’ is onomatopoeia for the sound of frying food.
• Children enjoy books with onomatopoeia because the words are fun to say.
• Hiss, meow, and woof are all examples of onomatopoeia.
• The author’s use of onomatopoeia helped readers hear the storm.