Figure of Speech

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You might have heard the expression its a figure of speech, but what does that
really mean? A figure of speech is just that figurative language. It might be
words with a literal meaning, a certain arrangements of words, or a phrase with a
meaning that is something entirely other than that of the words themselves.
Figures of speech can be refreshing and fun, but for some especially those who
are not native English speakers a figure of speech can be very confusing. Here
are some of the most common figures of speech and what they mean.

List of Figure of Speech and Examples

1

Alliteration
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This is a very common figure of speech that involves using words
that begin with the

same sound.
For instance, Sally sells sea shells by the seashore is alliteration and try saying it
fast to see how difficult it is! It is often used in advertising slogans to create
something catchy that more people will remember.

Anaphora

This figure of speech uses a specific clause at the beginning of each sentence or point
to make a statement.
For instance: Good night and good luck is an example of the beginning word being
the same. The more it is used, the more of an emotional effect is can evoke among
those who are listening. Another example is "Mad world! Mad kings! Mad
composition!" from King John, II, I by William Shakespeare.

Assonance

Remember the phrase I Like Ike? It was a very common phase for those who
supported Dwight Eisenhower during his presidential run. This is a figure of speech
that focuses on the vowel sounds in a phrase, repeating them over and over to great
effect.

Hyperbole

It was as big as a mountain! It was faster than a cheetah! It was dumber than a rock!
This figure of speech makes things seem much bigger than they really were by using
grandiose depictions of everyday things. Hyperbole is often seen as an exaggeration
that adds a bit of humor to a story.
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Irony

This figure of speech tries to use a word in a literal sense that debunks what has just
been said. Gentlemen, you cant fight in here! This is the War Room! from Dr.
Strangelove is a great example. It is often used to poke fun at a situation that everyone
else sees as a very serious matter.
There are different types of irony and here
(http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-irony.html) are the details and
examples.
6

Metaphor

The use of metaphor compares two things that are not alike and finds something
about them to make them alike.
My heart is a lonely hunter that hunts on a lonely hill from a book by William Sharp is
a good example of metaphor. Some writers try to use this style to create something
profound out of comparing two things that appear to have nothing at all in common.
7

Simile

In this figure of speech, two things are compared that are not really the same, but are
used to make a point about each other.
Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what youre going to get is a famous
line from the movie Forrest Gump that illustrates the simile. This is often used to make
an emotional point about something. The difference between simile and metaphor is
that you can obviously see words "like" in the sentence.
8

Metonymy

In this figure of speech, one word that has a very similar meaning can be used for
another. Using the word crown for royalty or lab coats for scientists are two
examples. In some ways it can be seen as a nickname for something else; for
instance, The White House said doesnt actually mean the White House said it (a
house cant speak!) but that the President said it. However, we all understand the
meaning, and so the words are interchangeable.

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Onomatopoeia

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This is the use of a word that actually sounds like what it means. Good examples
include hiss or ding-dong or fizz. These words are meant to describe something
that actually sounds very much like the word itself. This is a trick often used in
advertising to help convey what something is really like.
10

Paradox

This figure of speech completely contradicts itself in the same sentence. Famous
quotes that illustrate this from George Orwells 1984 include: War is peace.
Ignorance is strength. Freedom is slavery. Though we know these things arent true,
they present an interesting paradox that makes a person think seriously about what
they have just read or heard.
11

Personification

This is a way of giving an inanimate object the qualities of a living thing. The tree
quaked with fear as the wind approached is an example; The sun smiled down on
her is another. This can sometimes be used to invoke an emotional response to
something by making it more personable, friendly and relatable.
12

Pun

This play on words uses different senses of the word, or different sounds that make up
the word, to create something fun and interesting. For instance: I would like to go to
Holland some day. Wooden shoe? is a pun that actually means wouldnt you?
Sometimes puns are so subtle that they can be tough to pick up unless you are really
listening for them.

13

Synecdoche

This is a figure of speech in which one thing is meant to represent the whole. A few
good examples include ABCs for alphabet, new set of wheels for car, or 9/11 to
demonstrate the whole of the tragedy that happened in the United States on
September 11, 2001. This is often used in journalism as a type of shorthand.
14

Understatement

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This is a situation in which the thing discussed is made to seem
much less important

than it really is. This famous line from Catcher in the Rye is a good example: I have to
have this operation. It isnt very serious. I have this tiny tumor on the brain.
Understatement can often be used to comedic effect.

15

Antithesis

This is a contradiction that pits two ideas against each other in a balanced way.
Youre easy on the eyes, hard on the heart is a line from a country song that
illustrates this perfectly. This is often used to indicate just how something can be more
than one thing at the same time.

16

Euphemism

Words that are used to soften the message are often considered euphemisms.
Passed away is often used in place of died or killed. A misunderstanding might
be used in place of fight or argument. And who could forget wardrobe
malfunction, which is a fancy way of saying your clothes fell off.
17

Oxymoron

This puts two words together that seem to contradict each other. Military
intelligence, real phony, civil war, and silent yell are all examples of an oxymoron.
Many people use these to promote the humor in a situation.

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ANY IDEAS ABOUT THIS TOPIC?

REVATHY DINESH

Nov.1 09:42

This is very useful for the beginners. GOOD..................

Lakshyaraj Singh

Nov.1 05:18

This is very important ior the school going childerens

Priya Jha

Oct.24 03:39

Tysm...it was quite helpful

Linky Mosima

Oct.23 19:50

Thnx for find more figures of speech.

Arjun Nandurkar

Oct.20 16:35

It is very nice I didn't understand in my school but I understand here

Anjali

Oct.19 15:27

Helped me thx

Bakchod

Oct.18 09:32

Thanks for giving idea of figure of speech

Arjun

Oct.16 13:13

Awesome website I was really helped with this website

Sheldon lobo

Oct.13 13:27

very helpful ...everything made simple,...thanks

Oct.12 15:45

It helped me alot
View All Comments /Add Comment (/comment/detail/figure-of-speech.html)

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