Onomatopoeia vs Alliteration: What’s the Difference?
The difference at a glance
Onomatopoeia uses words to mimic natural sounds like 'hiss' or 'bang'. Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring words.
Example sentences are illustrative learning examples, not verified quotations.
What does Onomatopoeia mean?
noun · /ˌɒn.ə.ˌmæt.əˈpiː.ə/
The formation of a word by imitation of a sound associated with the thing it names — the language trying to become the sound it describes.
Explore OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia in a sentence
Buzz, crack, hiss, murmur — onomatopoeia makes the word audible.
The poet used onomatopoeia throughout: every sound in the poem sounded like itself.
What does Alliteration mean?
noun · /əˌlɪt.əˈreɪ.ʃən/
The occurrence of the same sound or letter at the beginning of closely connected words — a sound device that creates rhythm, cohesion, and memorability.
Explore AlliterationAlliteration in a sentence
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers — nonsense, but unforgettable alliteration.
She used alliteration to give the title weight: 'Brave, Brief, Brilliant'.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Onomatopoeia and Alliteration?
Onomatopoeia uses words to mimic natural sounds like 'hiss' or 'bang'. Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring words.
What does Onomatopoeia mean?
The formation of a word by imitation of a sound associated with the thing it names — the language trying to become the sound it describes.
What does Alliteration mean?
The occurrence of the same sound or letter at the beginning of closely connected words — a sound device that creates rhythm, cohesion, and memorability.