ONOMATOPOEIC

ONOMATOPOEIC WORDS

According to the Oxford Dictionary, the word onomatopoeia originates from the Greek word onomatopoiia meaning 'word-making'. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary reports the onomatopoiia is derived from the Greek onoma 'name' and poiein 'to make'.
Onomatopoeia is pronounced: \ˌä-nə-ˌmä-tə-ˈpē-ə

Definition of Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named (e.g., cuckoo, sizzle). However the word Onomatopoeia can also be used to describe the use of such words for rhetorical effect. For example, in the sentence 'The poet Tennyson used onomatopoeia as a linguistic device' (see example below).
Onomatopoeia and its derivatives
The adjective onomatopoeic can be used in the sentence 'Woof is an example of onomatopoeia'.
The adverb onomatopoeically is used in the sentence 'She lived her life onomatopoeically ...whoopy!'

Some examples:

• Gr- something unpleasant or miserable
Groan – make a deep sound forced out by pain or despair
Grumble – complain in a bad-tempered way
Grumpy – bad- tempered
Grunt – make a low, rough sound like pigs do/people expressing disaggrement or boredom
Growl – make a low, threatening sound

• Cl – something sharp and metallic
Click – make a short sharp sound
Clang – make a loud ringing noise
Clank – make a dull metallic noise, not as loud as a clang
Clash – make a loud, broken, confused noise as when metal objects strike together
Clink – make the sound of small bits of metal or glass knocking together.

• Sp – association with water or other liquids
Splash – cause a liquid to fly about in drops
Spit – send liquid out from the mouth
Splutter – make a series of spitting sounds
Spray – liquid sent through the air in tiny drops either by the wind or some instrument
Sprinkle – throw a shower of something onto a surface
Spurt – come out in a sudden burst
• Ash – something fast and violent
Smash – break violently into small pieces
Dash – move or be moved violently
Crash – strike suddenly violently and noisily
Bash – strike heavily so as to break or injure
Gash – a long deep cut or wound

• Wh – the movement of air
Whistle – a high pitched noise made by forcing air or steam through a small opening
Whirr – sound like a bird’s wings moving rapidly
Whizz – make the sound of something rushing through air
Wheeze – breathe noisily especially with a whistling sound in the chest.
Whip –hit with one of these.

• -ckle, -ggle, or –zzle – something light and repeated
Trickle – to flow in a thin stream
Crackle – make a series of short cracking sounds
Tinkle – make a succession of light ringing sounds
Giggle – laugh lightly in a nervous or silly way
Wriggle – move with quick short twisting
Sizzle – make a hissing sound like something cooking in fat
Drizzle – small, fine rain

Exercises
1. She heard his key.................. as it turned in the lock.
2. The blades of the propeller..................noisily.
3. I love to hear sausages....................in the pan.
4. They...................glasses and drank to each other’s health.
5. There was a terrible car……….......on the motorway today.
6. Everyone………….......with disappointment at the news.
7. The baby loves.......................in its bath.
8. I can feel raindrops.....................down the back of my neck.


Sploshed rustle mumble
Creaks whacked gargling
1. The child......through the puddles.
2. If you have a sore throat, try....with some salt water.
3. I couldn’t concentrate on the play because of the........of sweet papers behind me.
4. Speak up! Don’t ........
5. That steps always.......
6. He .........the ball into the air.