Figurative Language Definitions – Flashcards
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Alliteration
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Repeats the same beginning sound or letter in two or more words. It is the repetition of a consonant sound of the beginning of words. Examples: The sizzling sun shone on the silky sand. Come and clean your closet. THe big bad bear attacked all the little bunnies in he forest. Go and gather the green leaves on the lawn. Paula planted the petunias in the pot. Kim comes to cut colorful kites. Gary gathers the garbage. Please put your pen away and play the piano. I had to hurry home because grandma wanted her waffles.
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Metaphor
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A comparison between two things that are unrelated items. With this type of comparison the words like or as are NOT used. Examples: A blanket of snow covered the ground. Her hair is silk You are my sunshine. All the world is a stage. The hospital was a refrigerator. The classroom was a zoo. America is a melting pot. Her lovely voice was music to his ears. Life is a roller coaster. The alligator's teeth are white daggers. Their home was a prison.
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Simile
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A comparison using LIKE or AS. Examples: His eyes were as cold as ice. She is as cheap as dirt. The house was as clean as a whistle. It became clear as mud that the zombie ate the rat. He sang like an angel at his Christmas program. Georgia eats like a bird. Owen act like an animal when he plays football. work like a dog fight like cats and dogs like a dream
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Hyperbole
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An extreme exaggeration used to make a point. Examples: She ate a mountain of food. It was so cold I saw polar bears wearing jackets. I am so hungry I could eat a horse. I had a ton of chores to do before I could go on my date. If I don't get a smart phone, I will die. She is as thin as a toothpick. Old Mrs Bzinak has been teaching here since the Stone Age. My mom is going to kill me when she sees my grades. You could have knocked me over with a feather when you told me that they were getting married.
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Personification
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The act of giving human qualities to animate or inanimate objects. Examples: The leaves danced on the ground. My alarm clock yells at me every morning. The avalanche devoured anything that stood in its way. After the accident the traffic slowed to a crawl. The door protested as it opened slowly. You need to cross over at the mouth of the river. Our vacuum hums a happy tune while it cleans. She is so beautiful, the camera loves her. Winter's icy grip caused people to shudder.
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Onomatopoeia
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A word whose sound suggests its meaning. The words are those sounds Examples: Clap! Clap! Chirp Cluck Coo Cuckoo Gobble Growl Hee-Haw Hiss Honk Hoot Howl
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Figurative Language
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This occurs when you use a word or phrase that does not have its normal everyday, literal meaning. Writers can use it to make their work more interesting or more dramatic than literal language which simply states facts.
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Understatement
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A statement that is weakened to convey stronger meaning. Examples: It is just a scratch -referring to a large dent won't say it's delicious - referring to terrible food the weather is a little cooler today - referring to subzero temperatures.
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Imagery
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Vivid description that included details that appeal to the senses. Examples: She was like a breath of fresh air infusing life back into him. He could never escape from the iron grip of desire. The F-16 swooped down like an eagle after its prey.
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Cliche
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An expression or phrase used so often it becomes stale and loss it's meaning. Examples: Scared out of my wits:This describes being very frightened. Laughter is the best medicine Waking up on the wrong side of the bed Sent a shiver down my spine Gut wrenching pain
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Symbol
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An item that stands for an idea Examples: Rose stands for romance Bald Eagle stands for freedom Dove stands for peace Black is used to represent death or evil White is used to represent life and purity Purple can be used to represent royalty Yellow can be used to stand for violence or decay Blue is used to represent peacefulness and calm
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Idiom
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An expression whose meaning is different from the meaning of its individual words. Examples: Get a kick out of it -means- Enjoy Read between the lines -means- Find the hidden meaning Have mixed feelings -means - Unsure how you feel Draw a blank -means - Can't remember Have a change of heart -means - Changed your mind Be second to none -means- Be the best Get your act together -means- Behave properly Play it by ear -means- Improvise
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Example of Metaphor
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Life is a roller coaster
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Example of Simile
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Eat like a bird
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Example of Hyperbole
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Our new house cost a bazillion dollars.
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Example of Personification
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Traffic slowed to a crawl.
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Example of Onomatopoeia
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Gobble
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Example of Alliteration
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Paula planted the petunias in a pot.
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Definition of Metaphor
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Comparison NOT using like or as
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Definition of Simile
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Comparison using like or as
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Definition of Hyperbole
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Extreme exaggeration used to make a point
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Definition of Personification
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The acts of giving human qualities to animals or inanimate objects.
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Definition of Onomatopoeia
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A word whose sound suggests its meaning
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Definition of Alliteration
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The repetition of a constant sound at the beginning of words.
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Definition of Understatement
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A statement that is weakened to convey stronger meaning.
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Definition of Imagery
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Vivid description that included details that appeal to the senses.
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Definition of Cliche
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An expression or phrase used so often it becomes stale and loses its meaning.
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Definition of Symbol
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An object that stands for an idea.
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Definition of Idiom
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An expression whose meaning is different from the meaning of its individual words.
